SHUTTLEtheUSS Enterprise (CVN 65) - Sunday, May 22 2011

Photos by MC2 Aaron Chase

The Winner Is...And

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Enterprise NewsBy MCSN Daniel J. MeshelUSS Enterprise Public Affairs

round. “The purpose of Big ‘E’ Idol was not only to find the most well-rounded and talented singer aboard Enterprise but to raise crew morale,” said Lt. Jonathan R. Pohnel, a Tactical Action Officer and Big ‘E’ Idol coordinator and judge. Big ‘E’ Idol gave Sailors and Marines an outlet to display their talent and provided recreation for crew members while on the ship’s 21st deployment. “It’s a great opportunity for everybody to come out, have a good time, let loose a little bit, and have fun,” said Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class (AW) Aubrie N. Blair, an audience member. “You don’t have to think about work while you’re out here. It’s nice to get away from it.”

USS ENTERPRISE, At sea – Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class (AW/SW) Willie C. Cochran won the title of Big ‘E’ Idol May 20 along with $1,000 before hundreds of Sailors gathered to witness the finale of the contest aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Cochran, Hull Technician Fireman Apprentice Matthew A. Rogers, and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Apprentice Christina E. Lofton performed during the Morale, Welfare and Recreation-sponsored ‘Concert in the Park.’ The organizers tried to make it as much like the show as possible. Before each contestant took to the stage to perform their song, pre-recorded phone calls of the finalist’s family members played for the crowd to encourage and support. “When I got on stage I was still wiping the tears away,” said Cochran, who added he had butterflies in his stomach before the show began. For his final competition performance, Cochran belted out “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green. Loften sang Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” while Rogers sang “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban. Following each performance, a panel of judges critiqued the singers which included guest judge and Commander, Carrier Strike Group 12, Rear Adm. Terry B. Kraft.As the judges conferred to make a decision on who would become the Next Big “E” Idol the crowd

screamed and waved signs bearing the names of the finalists. Accompanying Kraft onto the stage was the ship’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Dee L. Mewbourne, and Commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) One, Capt. Jeffrey L. Trent. “The third runner-up and second runner-up we couldn’t decide,” said Kraft as he addressed the crowd, “So we had to make it a tie.” Rogers and Lofton were called to the stage. The runner-ups received folders with embossed Enterprise logos containing photos of them taken during their performance on “Big ‘E’ Idol.” “And the winner of Big ‘E’ Idol,” Kraft announced, “is AT2 Cochran!” The crowd erupted in applause as Cochran strode onto the stage.

A humble smile grew on his face as he was presented with an oversized check. “I wish we all could win,” said Cochran after winning the competition. “But it felt great. I’m still smiling ear to ear.” After his victory, Cochran performed “Love and Happiness,” also by Al Green, as an encore. Big ‘E’ Idol, modeled after the popular television show “American Idol”, was a competition produced by and broadcast weekly to Enterprise crew members. In the first round of auditions 13 contestants were chosen by the show’s judges. Each following week, Enterprise crew members voted for their favorite contestant via e-mail, and those with the highest number of votes moved on to the next

Big ‘E’ Idol comes to close at ‘Concert in the Park’

Rear Adm. Terry B. Kraft, Commander, Carrier Strike Group 12, and Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class (AW/SW) Willie C. Cochran hold up an oversized check for $1,000 after Cochran was announced as the winner of Big ‘E’ Idol May 20. Big ‘E’ Idol lasted seven weeks and involved 13 contestants before culminating with Cochran’s win at the “Concert in the Park” aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

Photo by MC3 Alex R. Forster

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Big ‘E’ Idol

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Big ‘E’ Idol

Photos by MC3 Alex R. Forster and Cpl. Courtney White

other materials to help service members and their families plan for summer fun. These tools can be downloaded at www.public.navy.mil/navsafecen. Johnson said he hopes everyone will take advantage of these materials so the fleet can build on the positive trends of the past several years and have a great summer at the same time. “Don’t let a preventable mishap constrain your summer fun and enjoyment,” he said. For more news from Naval Safety Center, visit www.navy.mil/local/nsc/.

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The Naval Safety Center’s (NAVSAFECEN) annual summer safety campaign officially begins Memorial Day weekend, and materials are available now to help Sailors and Marines prepare for their upcoming off-duty and recreational activities. The last few years have shown that it’s possible to have fun while managing risk. “Last summer, Sailors and Marines set the bar high and statistically achieved the safest summer on record,” said Rear Adm. Arthur J. Johnson, commander, Naval Safety Center. “I firmly believe we have all the components in place to continue that positive trend and do even better this year.” While last summer was a successful one for most, 14 Sailors and 14 Marines lost their lives in motor vehicle and recreation mishaps. That was a tragedy for their families, for their units, and for the fleet as a whole. Sailors and Marines do a great job of managing risk on duty, and that’s a mindset NAVSAFECEN’s command master chief said must carry over outside the gates of the installation.

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Navy NewsBy April PhillipsNaval Safety Center Public Affairs

“Just like in an operational environment, we are faced with obstacles that, unless we plan ahead, could result in negative consequences,” said CMDCM(AW/SW) Dominick Torchia. “Off duty recreation is really no different. It requires planning, from something as seemingly minor as wearing sun block, to ensuring vehicles are running properly and your trip is well planned out. These details could mean the difference between mitigating risk and suffering the consequences.” To help manage risk,

NAVSAFECEN’s summer campaign known as “Live to Play, Play to Live,” reinforces positive things Sailors, Marines, and their families can do to have fun this summer. While most activities carry a certain amount of risk, that danger is usually easy to plan for and manage. “Managing risk not only reduces mishaps, but it allows us to thoroughly enjoy the activities we participate in,” Johnson said. “A little advance planning goes a long way.” NAVSAFECEN has presentations, booklets, videos, and

Navy Kicks Off Summer Safety Campaign

Chief Master-at-Arms James Blagg and Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Richard Grier, command drug and alcohol prevention advisors at Naval Air Station Key West, hang a banner next to a vehicle that crashed near Key West while the driver was under the influence of alcohol. Though not driven by a service member, the vehicle display serves as a reminder not to drink and drive.

U.S. Navy Photo by Trice Denny

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U.S. NewsObama: U.S. Stands with Middle East Nations Open to Reform

WASHINGTON – Amid extraordinary changes taking place in the Middle East and North Africa, the United States is responding in ways that advance the nation’s values and strengthen its security, President Barack Obama said in a speech in Washington May 19. Obama described how people across the region have risen up against oppressive governments during the past six months, town by town, in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Syria and Bahrain.“The question before us is: What role America will play as this story unfolds?” Obama said.“For decades, the United States has pursued a set of core interests in the region -- countering terrorism and stopping the spread of nuclear weapons, securing the free flow of commerce and safe-guarding the security of the region, standing up for Israel’s security and pursuing

Arab-Israeli peace,” he said. The United States will continue these efforts, keeping commitments to friends and partners, the president said. After years of war in Iraq, 100,000 troops have moved out of the country, he said. “The Iraqis have rejected the perils of political violence in favor of a democratic process, even as they’ve taken full responsibility for their own security,” the president said. In Afghanistan, the United States and its coalition partners have broken the Taliban’s momentum, Obama said. Starting in July, U.S. troops will begin returning home and the job of security in Afghanistan will transition to that nation’s own military.“And after years of war against al-Qaida and its affiliates,” Obama said, “we have dealt al-Qaida a huge blow by killing its leader,

Osama bin Laden.” In too many countries in the region, “calls for change have been answered by violence.” Obama said. The most extreme example is Libya, he said, where Moammar Gadhafi launched a war against his own people, “promising to hunt them down like rats.” Today, “the opposition has organized a legitimate and credible interim council. And when Gadhafi

inevitably leaves or is forced from power, decades of provocation will come to an end and the transition to a democratic Libya can proceed,” he said. In the months ahead, Obama said America must use its influence to encourage all countries in the region to embrace reform. “Our message is simple,” he said. “If you take the risks that reform entails, you will have the full support of the United States.”

By Cheryl PellerinAmerican Forces Press Service

President Barack Obama speaks on the Middle East and North Africa at the State Department.

White House photo by Pete Souza

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Answers can be found on Big ‘E’ Net at S:\Public\MEDIA\GM\Crossword and Sudoku answers

FUN ZONE!Down1 Doggedness2 “It can’t be!”3 ___ blocker4 Boiled5 “Over the Rainbow” songwriter6 Actress Arthur7 Capital of Azerbaijan8 Hans Christian Andersen’s birthplace9 Volunteer State10 Hollywood hopeful11 Assembly12 More unusual13 Playthings18 Back22 Church official24 “An apple ___ ...”26 Basic rhyme scheme27 Be adventurous28 Rasta braids30 Out of practice32 Silent movie ‘vamp’34 On a grand scale 35 Acting job37 Bridge coups38 Those people41 Honshu hostesses43 Ecclesiastics45 Mass emigration46 Actor Andrews47 Sidekick49 Bar50 Crab part51 Launder53 Brook54 “Rio ___” (John Wayne flick)55 Break sharply58 Pressure unit: Abbr.

Across1 Oodles5 Monastery head10 Dundee denizen14 ‘50s South Korean president15 “The Cloister and the Hearth” author16 Hoo-ha

17 Bernese Alps resort19 Raggedy Ann’s friend20 Just so21 Rattles23 Mandlikova of tennis25 Vendor26 Kind of snake29 Fine porcelain31 Epithet for Shakespeare

32 Greek T33 Long-haired dog36 “Diamonds ___ Forever”37 Unethical lawyer39 Wall St. stock sale40 Small hound42 Definite article43 Helix44 Accurate marksman

46 Chucklehead47 Culminate48 Four seasons50 Medieval weapon52 Tangles56 Scottish lake57 Reworking59 “Crazy Love” singer60 Actress Rene

61 Exile isle62 “Swiss Family Robinson” author63 On board64 Hogwash

Sailors of the DayMachinist’s Mate 2nd ClassKristofer A. Nichols- Ocean City, Maryland

MM2 Nichols, a maintenance and cleanliness supervisor for Enterprise’s Engineering Department, joined the Navy five years and eight months ago to expand his career opportunities. Nichols says the most rewarding aspect of his job is “how proud it makes his family” and his desire to make his newborn daughter “proud of her father.” Nichols aspires to become senior in his rate and earn his surface warfare pin. He’s also saving to buy a home for his wife and daughter. When he returns home from deployment, Nichols would like to spend time with his family, listen to music and watch sports.

PRAN Manansala, a day check aviation life support systems technician for Carrier Airbourne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123, joined the Navy one year and nine months ago to pay for college and see the world. Manansala says the most rewarding aspect of her job is “when the aircrew return safely because I did my job right.” Manansala aspires to be a Limited Duty Officer and “train future Sailors.” In her spare time, Manansala likes to workout, read and study for advancement.

Aircrew Survival Equipmentman AirmanErica Manansala- Catonsville, Maryland

Photos by MCSN Jared M. King