Happeningsthe Friday, December 2, 2011Page 2 SHUTTLE

Q: How many ships in the US Navy have been named Enterprise?

The Shuttle is published and printed daily underway and bi-weekly in port by the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Media Department, FPO AE 09543-2810. This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Please direct all story ideas, questions and comments to MC3 (SW) Jeffry Willadsen at willadsenj@cvn65.navy.mil.

SHUTTLEtheUSS Enterprise (CVN 65)

Public Affairs OfficerLt. Cmdr. Sarah T. Self-Kyler

Command Master ChiefABCM (AW/SW) Eric Young

Executive OfficerCapt. Gregory C. Huffman

Commanding OfficerCapt. William C. Hamilton Jr.

EditorMC3 (SW) Jeff Willadsen

Big E Outlook

A: Eight

ESWS Questionof the week

Something to CelebrateCapt. William C. Hamilton Jr., center, commanding officer, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), poses for a photo with, from the left, Logistics Specialist (SW/AW) 3rd Class Peter M. Carreon, Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd (AW/SW) Class Jerry B. Alston, Aviation Ordinanceman Airman (AW/SW) Quinterris Ponder, Hospital Corpsman 2nd (SW/AW) Class John A. Fields, Aviation Ordinanceman 1st Class (AW/SW) Ryan Dooley, and Aviation Support Equiptment Technician 2nd Class (AW/SW) Michael A. Mack, Enterprise’s newly awarded “Sailors of the Year,” during the ship’s Holiday Party Nov. 17.

Photo by MCSN Eric Brann

NCPACE Schedule-1-17 December – ESO must receive Distance Learning Course Reg-istration Forms for students who wish to participate in the Distance Learning Courses. Once registrations are received and verified they will be submitted for deployment. Additionally, payments for classes are due with registration forms.

Week of 9 January – Final rosters for students will be verified with Navy College and NCPACE program managers. Only new gains will be authorized to be added for classes and all prerequisites must be completed (ASSET testing, registration forms, etc).

ESO NOTE: Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE) representatives will hold student orientation workshops and ASSET testing every Wednesday AT 0900 AND 1100 in the ESO classroom (2-186-0-Q). If you are planning on taking any courses during the upcoming deployment or are undecided, please sign up for a session as it is a requirement for participation.

Are you ready for Deployment? Legal can help-Do you have a will that would direct who receives your property in the event of your death?

Do you need advice on family law matters?

Do you think you are paying too much in finance charges on an item you purchased?

Do you have questions about your military clause in your housing lease?

Your Legal Department is here to help! During our December under-way, the Legal Department will be hosting two Navy Legal assistance attorneys who can help you with your legal needs prior to deploy-ment. They will be offering services in the areas of wills, family law, landlord tenant law, and various consumer issues. It is vital to your success and peace of mind that you resolve these issues BEFORE Enterprise makes her final combat deployment!

To schedule an appointment, please contact the LT Loveless via e-mail

50 Years of Legend ReturnEnterprise hosts Big E veterans for the ship’s 50th Birthday festivities

By USS Enterprise Public Affairs

Photo by MC2 Eric C. Tretter

NORFOLK, Va. – The world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), hosted nearly 1,000 former crew members Nov. 27 to kick off its two-day 50th birthday celebration that will culminate with a party in the ship’s hangar bay.

The celebration, which is the first for a ship serving 50 years in active service, provides an opportunity for crew members past and present to reflect on the importance of the sea power that Enterprise represents.

“The last time I was on board was for the first two Mediterranean tours and a world tour,” said John D. Clark, who served aboard Enterprise during 1963-1965 as a photographer’s mate.

Current Enterprise Sailors were

available throughout the day to show their predecessors around, but many times it was the veteran Sailors who ended up giving the tours as they recounted their service from a bygone era.

Although broadly considered a very rewarding, possibly final opportunity for visiting veterans to walk the passageways of one of the most famous ships in history, the experience had an impact on current Sailors as well.

“Everyone has their own experiences and feelings about this ship,” said Airman Apprentice Michael C. Kingsolver, who helped provide tours to the veterans. “It really boosts my morale to hear these veterans share their stories with me and get excited about how things used to be.”

A common theme expressed by

former Sailors is that while the ship has been upgraded throughout the decades to meet the changing nature of warfare, overall it is very much the same.

“To me, it’s a little like spending a day with a childhood friend that you haven’t seen in many years,” said Dale Inman who served as a Machinist’s Mate in the early 1970s. “It makes me nostalgic for the good old days. But you know what, I’ll bet I could still man my station if the skipper needed me to.”

As Enterprise prepares for its final deployment, deactivation and decommissioning, the opportunity for veterans of Enterprise and future veterans of the ship to meet and interact is one that will certainly be valued by all.

Plankowners Felix Summers (right) and Jim Keethler discuss their time on board USS Enterprise (CVN 65) following a tour of the ship. Enterprise celebrated her 50th anniversary of commissioning Nov. 25, and is preparing for her 22nd and final deployment.

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Layout by MC3 (SW) Jeffry A. Willadsen

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Photo by MC3 Jacob Galito

Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) render a salute Nov. 28, 2011 during a memorial ceremony. The ceremony honored those who made the ultimate sacrifice and took place in the ship’s hanger bay.

Big E Remebers Her Fallen HeroesBy USS Enterprise Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. – USS Enterprise (CVN 65) paid shipboard tribute Nov. 28 to the 125 crew members who died and the 20 captured over the ship’s five decades of activity.

More than 900 former Enterprise

Sailors, some who served on the ship’s maiden voyage, attended the ceremony as part of a two-day 50th birthday celebration.

The ceremony included scripture readings, the dedication of a memorial

plaque, and remarks by Rear Adm. Walter E. Carter, Jr., Commander, Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, and the ship’s Commanding Officer, Capt. William C. Hamilton, Jr.

“The true heroes of this magnificent ship are those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their nation,” said Carter. “We will never forget them or their families, and we celebrate their lives today.”

Commissioned on Nov. 25, 1961, Enterprise is the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and has served in every major American conflict since the Cuban Missile Crisis. The ship’s most tragic moment occurred on the morning of January 14, 1969 when a rocket exploded on the flight deck, igniting a series of blasts and fires that took several hours to extinguish. In all, 28 Sailors were killed with 314 injured.

A large plaque hangs in the ship’s foc’sle with the names of each Sailor who perished in the fire.

Enterprise is scheduled to make its 22nd and final deployment this Spring, followed by a deactivation period and decommissioning, scheduled for 2015.

Enterprise is unique in many ways. It is the only ship with eight nuclear reactors, and was originally designed to last 25 years. However, due to shipyard upgrades and continual maintenance by her Sailors, Enterprise will finally be inactivated after the crew celebrates her 51st birthday.

More than 100,000 are estimated to have served aboard throughout the years.

Enterprise Sailors honor 50 years of Sacrifice

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Big E Records Broken:

NORFOLK, Va. – The world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), took center stage Nov. 28, 2011, when Enterprise Sailors performed in a theatrical production for honored guests attending the ship’s 50th Birthday celebration.

The production included scenes from throughout the history of all eight ships bearing the Enterprise name, including emotional recreations of events taking place onboard the most decorated ship of World War II, the seventh Enterprise, CV 6.

Lt. Jonathan Pohnel, a tactical action officer onboard CVN 65, wrote and directed the performance, which featured Enterprise Sailors in roles such as Col. Benedict Arnold, President John F. Kennedy and President George W. Bush.

For Pohnel, bringing 50 years of history to life was no easy task.

“It was a little intimidating at times; putting over 300 hours of research, writing and preparing Sailors to represent so many important historical events,” he said.

But, Pohnel was quick to indicate that the effort was worthwhile. “My hope is that the production will inspire Enterprise Sailors, past and present, and remind them why their service is so very important.”

The 45-minute performance took place in the Enterprise’s hangar bay and included scenes from historical events such as the Battle of Midway, Cuban Missile Crisis and Sept. 11.

Chief Mass Communication

Specialist (SW) Stephen M. White played the commanding officer of the USS Enterprise (CV 6) during the Battle of Midway.

“I am so excited to have the opportunity to participate and commemorate this historic event,” said White. “As a student of history, I really enjoyed recreating such an integral event in our ship and our nation’s history.”

Chief Religious Programs Specialist (SW/AW) Terry A. Burrell, who was in the audience, found the play “spectacularly moving, especially with the historical aspects. I will always remember this event as a wonderful depiction of Enterprise history.”

Many of the scenes, especially the recreation of the 1969 Enterprise flight deck fire and the video footage of Vietnam with guitar accompaniment, were extremely moving to veterans in the audience who experienced these events firsthand.

Mark Douglass, a veteran Enterprise Sailor, who traveled across the country from California to attend the celebration, said “the performance brought a tear

to my eye; especially when I saw how moved the veterans were during the fire scene.”

Pohnel’s goal for the production was to “make sure every Enterprise Sailor, past and present, knows that they have done something worthwhile with their lives.”

The USS Enterprise celebrated its 50th birthday Nov. 25, 2011. The ship will make its final deployment in the spring, followed by a deactivation period and decommissioning, currently scheduled for 2015.

By USS Enterprise Public Affairs

Enterprise Sailors Produce Comemorative Theatrical Presentation

Chief Mass Communication Specialist Stephen M. White portrays Captain George D. Murray, com-manding officer of World War II aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV 6), aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) during a historical presentation at the ship’s 50th Birthday Celebration.

Photo by MCSN Gregory White

Big E 50 Year Fact Page

Big E Mottos

“We are legend”

“Ready on arrival”

“The first, the finest”

“Eight reactors,none faster”

“A class ofher own”

Ship StatsNo. of Compartments: 3,500+Aircraft Capacity: 72 aircraftFlight Deck Area: 4.5 acresHangar Bay Area: 3.5 acresNo. of Catapults: 4 steamCatapult Length: 286 ftLanding Area: 344 ftElevators: 4 Crew Size: 4,462 Enterprise 2,968 CCSG12 80 Air Wing 1,392 DESRON 22 Officers 431 Women 463Meals Daily: 20,000+Consumption/Day: • Gallons of Milk 350 • Sodas 30,000 • Lettuce 1,000 lbs • Tomatoes 500 lbsServices: Store, 2 gyms, 2 barber shops, full-serve and self-service laun-dry, daily newspaper, religious services, television station with 30 channels

Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., VirginiaOrdered: November 15, 1957 Keel Laid: February 4, 1958Launched: September 24, 1960Commissioned: November 25, 1961Maiden Voyage: January 12, 1962Original Cost to Build: $451.3 millionHorsepower: More than 200,000Top Speed: More than 30 knotsLength: 1,123 feetExtreme Breadth: 257 feetHeight (Keel to Mast): 250 feetNumber of Reactors: 8 (Lifespan 20 years)Propellers: 4 (32 tons each)Rudders: 4 (35 tons each)Anchors: 2 (30 tons each)Length of Ventilation: About 37 milesLength of Electrical Cables: About 625 milesNumber of Designers: 915Number of Drawings Made: 16,100Miles of Blueprints Made: 2,400Water Distillation Plant Capacity: 350,000 gallons dailyWater Displacement: 95,000 tons

• First Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carrier• First Nuclear Aircraft Carrier to see combat• First nuclear carrier to transit the Suez Canal• First ship to respond to all major United

States armed conflicts since the Vietnam War

• Oldest active ship in the US Navy.• At time of commissioning, the largest warship ever to be built.• Longest Ship in the US Navy.• Fastest carrier in the US Navy,• Only Enterprise Class Carrier.

Big E “Firsts”:

Big E Records Broken: