May 3, 2012 Issue“We are Legend”Newsletter Edition

USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

The Shuttle

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – The term, “loose lips sink ships,” is an American idiom used to imply that unguarded talk may give useful information to the enemy, potentially endangering the lives of our military forces. Some Sailors may find it hard to believe that with one click of the mouse, they harness the power to unwillingly cause serious damage to the mission. However, given the rapidly changing geopolitical environment, operational security (OPSEC) is an issue that the chain of command aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) does not take lightly. “A major priority on just about every CO’s or admiral’s mind is operational security,” said Lt. Reginald Fewell, Enterprise’s operational security officer. Although unintentional, the emergence of social networking websites, like Facebook, has made it much easier to mistakenly release information that may jeopardize the mission. “Social networking sites have been the main forum where we have seen OPSEC breeched,” said Fewell. “Although what you want to say may be intended for a select person, it can easily become public.” Although many Sailors may relate the sheer mention of OPSEC to classified material, it is not necessarily accurate. “About 85 percent of all of the OPSEC issues that we have seen have had to do with unclassified information,” said Fewell. “We have to realize that just the mention of things like morale, personnel and capabilities can give small pieces of the puzzle to the enemy. Don’t undervalue your ability to know certain information.” The consequences and repercussions of an OPSEC incident can be catastrophic. This is why the command aboard Enterprise constantly focuses on preventing such incidents. “Unfortunately, what comes to mind when OPSEC is broken is a situation like what happened aboard USS Cole,” said Fewell. “We want to do everything in our power to prevent the enemy from knowing our intentions before they happen.” In order to prevent such a catastrophe, Enterprise is working through a myriad of different mediums to hinder breeches in OPSEC. However, maintaining a working operational security system takes a unified effort from everyone. “Awareness and training are the best weapons against a breech in OPSEC,” said Fewell. “As the OPSEC officer, I’ve

been providing information via Plan of the Day notes and posters. Site TV has also been actively broadcasting OPSEC commercials and awareness programs.” Whenever the ship enters a certain area where an OPSEC breech could be especially mission-critical, the command will likely issue an overall internet restriction. However, the restriction would be rendered useless if the information was to get out prior to entering the area. OPSEC works best when all parties understand what it is and the implications involved when it is broken. Thus, the

Loose Lips Sink Ships: Combating OPSEC RisksStory by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brian G. Reynolds

OPSEC continued on page 3

Thursday, May 3, 2012Page 2

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 MC1 (SW) Steve Smith at smithsw@cvn65.navy.mil.

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

Executive OfficerCapt. G. C. Huffman

Commanding OfficerCapt. William C. Hamilton, Jr.

EditorsMC2 (SW) Kristin L. Grover

MCSN Harry GordonMCSN Brian G. Reynolds

The Shuttle

USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

Command Master ChiefABCM (AW/SW) Eric M. Young

Big E HappeningsThe Shuttle

Aviation Structural Mechanic (Equipment) 2nd Class Don Sanders, right, briefs Information Systems Technician 1st Class Steve Wolff, both assigned to the Rooks of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137, on proper protective equipment while working around an EA-6B Prowler in the hangar bay aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). (Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman)

Lt. Cmdr. Amarjeet S. Purewal, ship’s psychologist aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65), reads a diagnostic and statistic manual in his office. (Photo by MCSN Gregory White)

Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Donald Boylen, left, and Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Patrick Haorman, both assigned to the Screwtops of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123, inspect the wing of an E-2C Hawkeye in the hangar bay aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). (Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman)

Sailors assigned to the Red Rippers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 perform preventative maintenance on an F/A-18F Super Hornet in the hangar bay aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). (Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman)

Lt. Cmdr. Henry “Fred” Holcombe, a chaplain aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65), counsels a shipmate. (Photo by MCSN Gregory White)

Thursday, May 3, 2012 Page 3The Shuttle

In the News

With the approach of the first anniversary of the killing of Osama bin Laden, federal authorities have increased their vigilance at selected airports abroad by sending more security officers to monitor commercial flights into the United States, according to two government officials. Among the concerns is that terrorists will ingest explosives and try to detonate them on a commercial flight, the officials said. “For a long time there has been a concern of attacks on aircraft surrounding the anniversary of Bin Laden’s death,” one official said. “There have also been concerns for some time that terrorists will put explosives in their bodies and explode them. These are being revisited at the anniversary, but there is no specific credible information about an attack.” The official added, “There is just an abundance of caution around the anniversary and recognition that there is a potential for a retaliation attack of some kind. But there is no specific information about an imminent attack.”

Bin Laden Death Anniversary Prompts Increased SecurityBy Michael S. Schmidt The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity

because they did not want to jeopardize their access to secret government information. The Department of Homeland Security released a statement on Monday evening saying that although the threats from Al Qaeda and its affiliates continued to evolve, officials had “no indication of any specific, credible threats or plots against the U.S. tied to the one-year anniversary of Bin Laden’s death.” The department “will continue to monitor intelligencereporting and respond appropriately to protect the American people from an everevolving threat picture,” said Peter Boogaard, a spokesman for the department. The heightened security was first reported by ABCNews. Last July, air security was tightened for internationalflights into the United States after the government receivedintelligence that a Qaeda affiliate had taken “a fresh look”at implanting explosives in the bodies of terrorists and trying to detonate them on planes.

command is making strides to educate family members about what to expect when it comes to OPSEC. “Back in Norfolk, the Family Readiness Group (FRG) has been consistently putting the word out to family members at meetings about the importance of OPSEC,” said Fewell. “The FRG is also educating family members about what not to post on the web.” In a situation where loose lips can sink ships, Fewell says that the best practice overall is not to discuss the ship’s intentions or current operations at all. “A good rule of thumb is to not talk about operational activities or information important to the mission over social networking sites, over the phone or email, period,” said Fewell. “Don’t talk about it. Don’t talk around it. Don’t even mention it.”

OPSEC continued

Navy Renews Diversity Effort in Special Forces The Navy’s special warfare forces are launching a renewedeffort to recruit minorities with outreach at events ranging from local swim meets to NFL scouting combines. Today’s force of SEALs and special warfare combatantcraftcrewmen (SWCCs) is roughly 85% white, according to the Naval Special Warfare Command in Coronado, Calif. That’s much higher than the Navy overall -- whichin 2010 was about 64% white, according to the Defense

Manpower Data Center -- and is also out of whack with thecultural environments in which SEALs operate. The gap remains despite concerted efforts to seek moreminority candidates. A recent directive from Rear Adm. SeanPybus, head of Naval Special Warfare Command, expandedthe range of targeted minorities to young men of Asian and Arab descent as well as Hispanics. Recruiting efforts are being stepped up in San Diego and Norfolk, Va., where SEALs and SWCCs have joined in local swim programs geared toward children and young adults, as well as in Detroit and Dearborn, Mich., home to large concentrations of blacks and Arab Americans. “The swim component of SEAL and SWCC trainingacross all cultures is one that is a dividing factor,” said Capt. Duncan Smith, a SEAL who heads Naval SpecialWarfare Command’s recruiting directorate. He noted that those unfamiliar with swimming havethe toughest time passing the physical screening test. “We absolutely have a need for operational diversity.Our mission is more easily accomplished if we have peoplewith the cultural and racial identities that allow us to createlasting relationships to better understand our partner forces,”he said. “Our real mission is to make sure the SEAL/SWCCopportunity is open to anyone.” This year, the command also participated in nine ofthe NFL’s regional scouting combines, where prospectiveplayers show off their skills.

By Gidget Fuentes, NAVY TIMES

Thursday, May 3, 2012The ShuttlePage 4

Big E Entertainment

AZ3 Jason Williams, from St. Louis, joined the Navy three years ago to provide for his family and to see the world. Williams enjoys spending time with family and playing golf in his spare time. Williams plans to obtain a commission and to become the CO of a squadron in the future.

Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 3rd Class Jason Williams

Sailors of the Day

AOAN Timothy Ryan, from Lake Helen, Fla., joined the Navy two years and three months ago to better himself and to see the world. Ryan enjoys playing sports, listening to music and spending time with family. In the future, he plans to obtain his ESWS pin and to start a family.

Aviation Ordnanceman AirmanTimothy P. Ryan