Aviation Ordnanceman Nick Weinzatl, a 22-year-old Kansas City native, works in the G-3 division performing maintenance on a wide variety of equipment, ranging from battle lanterns to fire prevention

gear. Weinzatl also conducts training sessions among his G-3 colleagues in order to help them attain their qualifications as well as to keep himself and others sharp on the basic fundamentals of his rate.

Prior to joining the Navy, Weinzatl started working at the age of 13 assisting his father to build decks and patios. He later earned his certification as a welder specializing in freight lift elevator services for the ACME Company. Really.

“Everything I learned from my experience as a mechanic gives me an edge when it comes to my rate in the Navy,” said Weinzatl. “The same work ethic I had then, I have now. Without that, I don’t know how I would’ve made it this far in life.”

Additionally, Weinzatl learned early in his work career to maintain a professional appearance and performance.

“I try to look my best and perform to my best ability so that I can reflect the professionalism that my colleagues and I display from sunup to sundown,” he said. “I just want to do my part to get the job done.”

Outside of work, Weinzatl also enjoys the culture and nightlife of any city or town he finds himself in.

“When it’s all said and done, if you work hard, you should play hard,” said Weinzatl. “Doing this keeps an important balance. After all, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, and I’d like to consider myself quite sharp.”

AOAN Nick WeiNzAtlWeapons Dept.

kNOW YOur ShipmAte

Photo and information by M

C3 Jerem

iah Mills

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Adam Randolph

LincoLn strike Group chanGes commanD

Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9 held a change of command ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), May 13.

During the ceremony, Rear Adm. Troy M. Shoemaker relieved Rear Adm. Mark D. Guadagnini as Carrier Strike Group 9 commander.

Guadagnini served as commander of CSG 9 since Oct. 29, 2010. He was instrumental in orchestrating and leading sustained operations during the strike group’s successful six-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.

Under Guadagnini’s leadership, Lincoln earned distinction as the Naval Air Forces Pacific Battle Effectiveness Award winner, receiving 13 of 14 departmental awards for sustained superior performance in an operational environment, prevailing in an extremely close competition among the six aircraft carriers in the Pacific Fleet.

The Saberhawks of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 77, the guided-missile cruiser USS Sterett (DDG 104) and the fast frigate USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) also earned Battle “E” awards while serving under Guadagnini as part of CSG 9.

In his farewell remarks, Guadagnini praised the hard work of the Sailors in the strike group and said their commitment to excellence was the key to such a successful deployment.

Guadagnini is headed to Norfolk, Va. where he is

scheduled to begin an assignment as the deputy commander and chief of staff at U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

Shoemaker comes to CSG 9 from Millington, Tenn., where he served as assistant commander, Navy Personnel Command for career management, PERS 4, Navy Personnel Command. He said that while he has big shoes to fill in his new post, he is acutely aware that he is responsible to his new command to maintain the standards of excellence set by his predecessor.

“The bar has been set awfully high by Admiral Guadagnini,” Shoemaker said. “The Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is the class of the fleet, and I intend to hold us to that same high standard.”

Shoemaker, a native of St. Petersburg, Fla., graduated with honors from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering and was designated a naval aviator in 1984. He has more than 4,000 flight hours and more than 1,000 carrier arrested landings.

Rear Adm. Shoemaker has previously commanded Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17.

Lincoln is the flagship for CSG 9, which is homeported in Everett, Wash. The Lincoln Strike Group consists of Carrier Air Wing 2, Destroyer Squadron 9 and its associated ships USS Cape St. George (CG 71), USS Shoup (DDG 86), USS Momsem (DDG 92), USS Halsey (DDG 97), USS Sterett (DDG 104), USS Ford (FFG 54), USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) and USS Ingraham (FFG 61).

From USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Adam Randolph

LincoLn saiLors receive LeaDership aWarDsStory and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian Morales

Three Sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) received leadership awards from the Stennis

Center for Public Service Leadership, May 13, at the Marriot Waterfront Hotel in Seattle.

The Stennis Center recognized Lt. Cmdr. William J. Davis, Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Daryl V. McGee and Electronics Technician 1st Class Jason M. Buonomo during Lincoln’s annual leadership award dinner. Lincoln is one of eight aircraft carriers with a Stennis-sponsored award program.

The Abraham Lincoln Statesman, Union and Liberty Leadership Awards are presented annually to the ship’s outstanding officer, chief and petty officer. These awards recognize individuals who have demonstrated sustained superior performance and exhibited exceptional leadership skills.

Capt. John Alexander, Lincoln’s commanding officer, opened the dinner by praising the performances of the awardees.

“It’s always great when you have the opportunity to

celebrate the people of your command that really and truly exemplify the meaning of leadership,” Alexander said.

Following Alexander’s remarks, Rex G. Buffington, executive director of the Stennis Center for Public Service, recited quotes from Roslyn Carter and Abraham Lincoln and then presented the three awardees with eagle statuettes.

Departmental officers and chiefs, along with the awardees’ guests, addressed those in attendance to share a few words about each award winner before the award winners told the audience what the awards mean to them.

Buonomo said he was honored to be chosen from among the many fine petty officers serving aboard Lincoln.

“When they announced my name, I was in shock. I’m still in shock,” Buonomo said.

As part of the annual Lincoln Leadership Awards, the Stennis Center invites the winners to Washington, D.C. to interact with other leaders in the nation’s capital.

How to KicK ButtWhat Lincoln’s Smoking Cessation Program Can Offer YouBy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kirk Putnam

Chances are that if you are a smoker, or use smokeless tobacco,

then this is not the first article about quitting tobacco

products that you’ve read. In this age of information, you’re probably reminded what kinds of things you’re putting into your body on a daily basis.

With ingredients like hydrogen cyanide (a gas chamber chemical), formaldehyde (a preservative), and arsenic (a rat poison), cigarettes contain more than 4,000 chemicals (51 of which are known to cause cancer), and are the cause of one out of every six deaths in the United States each year. Smokers hear this sort of data all the time, but until a smoker finds his motivation, he isn’t likely to quit (even though the $1,400 a pack-a-day smoker spends on cigarettes each year seems like motivation enough).

A recent Department of Defense survey said that 62 percent of smokers want to quit within the next six months. If you fall into this category, the Navy has many free resources at your disposal that can help.

Lt. Andrea Sarge, a dentist aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), is the ship’s onboard health promotion coordinator. Sarge works with Sailors regularly to help them quit tobacco products.

“I find a lot of people are surprised about how much of these chemicals they’re putting into their bodies,” Sarge said. “Especially when I tell them, for instance, that one can of smokeless tobacco is equal to four packs of cigarettes.”

Sarge said one trick that can help a person quit using tobacco products is to

drink plenty of water. She recommends constant hydration as an aid in overcoming any type of craving.

Lincoln’s Health Services Department has several programs designed to help any aspiring non-smoker. While the most straightforward—and

often the healthiest—approach

i s simply quitting ‘cold turkey’ with no assistance, it requires a lot of determination to succeed. Other options for hopeful quitters include the use of support products such as Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and prescribed medications.

“For access to NRT tools like nicotine patches or gum, you can come

to the Medical or Dental offices. Sign-up sheets are also available that are sent out to providers for prescription medications,” said Sarge. “That’s the great thing about smoking cessation in the Navy; it’s covered. You just need a provider to subscribe it to you.”

Whichever path you choose, you’ll be fighting urges to resume tobacco use.

However, Sarge said, the urges will fade with time. Not all withdrawal symptoms are common, and they only have a limited time effect. For those discouraged by failed attempts, there is always hope.

As Sarge said, relapses are common and sometimes it can take four to six attempts before you really quit.

“If it doesn’t seem to work the first or second time, just keep

trying. It’s important to know the difference between a slip and a relapse. A slip is when you allow yourself one after you’ve already quit for a while but continue on your

anti-smoking program. A relapse is when you fall back into the habit of smoking regularly. You need to remember that just because you slip doesn’t mean you have to fall into a

relapse.”Ultimately, the decision to quit rests

with the smoker and no one else. So once you look at all the available support options and understand the challenge ahead, Sarge advises that you form a plan. Commitment to the plan and daily reinforcement are vital, but there is no one best way to quit.

“One of the main questions I ask when I see a patient who uses tobacco products is ‘Do you want to quit?’” said Sarge. “Because you are the only person that can make that happen.”

BrieflY

The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWB CSG) departed for its maiden

deployment, May 11.The strike group, led by the Navy’s

newest aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), and its nearly 6,000 Sailors; is scheduled to conduct operations in the U.S. Navy’s 6th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility.

The deployment is part of an ongoing rotation of U.S. forces supporting maritime security operations in international waters around the globe.

Working with allied and partner maritime forces, GHWB CSG units will focus heavily on maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts which help establish conditions for regional stability.

“The George H.W. Bush Strike Group is ready to go,” said Rear Adm. Nora Tyson, commander of GHWB CSG. “These Sailors have worked extremely hard over the last year and we are fully prepared to execute any and all tasking in support of the nation’s maritime strategy.”

The Bush Carrier Strike Group entered U.S. 6th Fleet’s area of responsibility (AOR), May 16.

“The men and women of GHWB CSG are contributing to America’s legacy of promoting peace, prosperity, security and freedom of the seas as we

From USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs

White House officials launched a strategy that the administration said unifies U.S. engagement with international partners on a range of cyber issues for the first time. The United States reserves the right, the report said, to use all necessary means--diplomatic, informational, military and economic--to defend the nation and its allies, partners and interests, seeking broad international support whenever possible. The military’s role in keeping its networks secure will be further detailed in the Defense Department’s forthcoming Strategy for Operating in Cyberspace.

White hOuSe lAuNcheS cYBer StrAtegY

A second adjustment to the fiscal year 2011 Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) Program was announced in NAVADMIN 166/11 released May 18. SRB is a dynamic market-based incentive program designed to retain Sailors in the Navy’s most critical ratings and NECs. The NAVADMIN adjusts 124 skill/zone combinations, reducing 46 skills and eliminating 34. The NAVADMIN also outlines a policy change for the SRB program. Within 30 days of a particular skill/zone reaching the needed quota for reenlistments, a “shutdown date” will be posted on the PERS-811 webpage of the Navy Personnel Command (NPC) website.

SrB AdjuStmeNtS mAde

conduct Maritime Security Operations with our partner nations in the 6th Fleet AOR,” said Commander, Carrier Strike Group Two, Rear Adm. Nora Tyson.

While in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, GHWB CSG will conduct a full range of maritime operations and theater security cooperation efforts in concert with coalition, joint, interagency and other partners to improve operational proficiency, and maintain maritime safety and security.

“It is a true honor to lead such a talented and dedicated group of professionals at sea. We are prepared to execute any tasking in support of our maritime strategy,” Tyson said. “This first combat deployment for George H.W. Bush will go down in history as one of the milestones of naval aviation’s centennial, which we celebrate this year.”

Upon completion of its mission in 6th Fleet, GHWB CSG is scheduled to operate in 5th Fleet AOR in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.

The GHWB CSG consists of CSG 2, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 staff, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), guided-missile cruisers USS Gettysburg (CG 64) and USS Anzio (CG 68), and guided-missile destroyers USS Truxtun (DDG 103) and USS Mitscher (DDG 57).

Bush Departs for maiDen DepLoyment

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric S. Garst

Initial enlisted retention board (ERB) quotas were published May 18 to provide Sailors a clearer picture of the competition in individual ratings, paygrades, and years of service-competitive categories. As a result of increased competition and reduced opportunity for strong-performing Sailors to reenlist caused by record high retention and low attrition, Navy announced the establishment of the ERB in NAVADMIN 129/11, April 14. The main objective is to help the Navy achieve mandated end strength by eliminating overmanning in 31 ratings.

reteNtiON BOArd QuOtAS releASed

If you’re looking for an experience that is distinctly Seattle this weekend, you need to check out the music scene at Seattle’s famouns

Comet. The Comet Tavern (located at 922 E. Pike St./www.comettavern.com) is my kind of dive bar/

music venue. It features a slightly dingy ambience, an eclectic and varied crowd of patrons and a surprisingly talented array of local artists.

I was suspicious at first. The sheer presence of so many plaid shirts and scruffy beards made me suspect the presence of hipsters. However, as the night wore on and the place got more crowded, I met some interesting and friendly people who put my fears to rest. This is truly a spot for everybody who likes music.

The usual weekend lineup features three or four bands and an impressive happy hour that runs from noon to 7:00 p.m. A few of the groups I saw on stage this last weekend were “The Exploding High Fives,” “One A.M. Radio,” and “Houses.” I have to say that all of the performers were impressive. However, the most entertaining performance of the night by far was that of “Viper Creek Club,” a two-man rock ensemble that lit up the place with some high-energy antics. They came out unannounced and got right into the music without so much as an introduction. They brought swag, but didn’t try and sell it. The crowd really responded to these two guys, and there wasn’t a single person sitting down until after they left the stage. If you have the chance, I sincerely recommend seeing them perform (www.vipercreekclub.com).

There is a cover charge of $8 and the place gets a little crowded later in the evening, but overall I’d have to recommend the Comet as a sound choice for your entertainment funds. If you’re looking for a night of live music, you’ll find one of the staples of the local scene on Pike in the heart of Capitol Hill, Seattle’s population center. Located within a very short walk from several late-night dining options, the Comet is a place definitely worth investigating.

a taLe Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Luciano Marano

cOmetof the