1MC

This news received yesterday, August 20,2008 from the USS Kitty Hawk. The list below is the official list of Association Members that was approved last June by Jim Melka, President of the Association. Final approval was based on a review of medical forms submitted by each member on the list wishing to take the cruise.

Shipmates,
The cruise was approved this morning. The following list is of those who have sent forms and their final status:

Approved for cruise
Larry Bonar
John Schroeer
Frederic Carlton
Jack Fusari
Rich Orth
Wesley E. Hydrick
Jim (James) Melka
Dick McMichael
RICK ANTONISHEK
Bill Stringer
Mike Lindy
Bob Johnstone
Edward McNichol
Curtis Hannah
John Barbarino
Jerry Barnes
Gerald Johnson
Gary Jaynes
James Woodside
Pete McMiller
David Ellis
Carl Muller
William Burge
Roland Brandel
Norman Longmeier
Anthony Carlton
Dave Meinardi
Karl Dickerson
Gary Hutter
Vincent Zabicki
Thomas Mattingly
Edgar Thomas
John Woodard
Paul Chevalier
Gary Barnes
Richard Sinclair
Jerry Warren
Jerry Kopff
Harold Braid
Virgil Mosley
Lance Weeda
John Andrews
Sam Burns
Frank Crookes
James Phelan
David Shuit
James Collins
Ralph Greene
John Frizzell
Thomas Larimer
Ken King
Gary Cochrane
Charles Robson
James Mackey
R. E. Lee
Doug Bettarel
Estle Morris
Rodger Van Horn
Dennis Farrell
James Quaremba
Robert Cope
Walter Szkapi
Randall Lettman
John Roarty
Wililam Oberempt
Ralph Walker
Andrew Moschetto
Phil Breasher
Glenn Bournstein
Ronald Marks
Duane Stober
Daniel Fagan
Andrew Adkins
Sean Booher
James Billinger
James Strahl
Bill Byrnes
Glen Gipson
William Garrard
Douglas Welch
Kenneth Short
Earl McDonald
Fred Cenziper
William Stracener
Edward Reiger
Robert Bourn
Carl Alspaugh
Paul Kilpela
J. Browne
James Beck
Donald McDaniel
Tom Armstong

Not approved for medical reasons (e-mail me if you want specific details)
Lawrence E. Brown
Douglas A. Noble
James M. Cecy
George W. Kyle
Peter Orlando
Robert Kramer
Charles Peterson
Arthur L. Kelly
Richard E. Adams
John Arthur Viccellio
Paul P. Hess
Albert Gustafson
Frank Ripley

Not approved because of missing forms/information
Howie Drouerr
Gerald Hauxwell
Larry Davis
Tom Fahy
Charles Elliot
Billy Wyatt
Hugh Spry
Ronald Strong
James Moore
Steve Nemmers
Al Shelton
Gilbert Ralston
John Easton

In for final review with ship’s medical officer (not approved yet)
William Meade
Darrell Radford

The ship is expected to get underway on Aug. 28 and arrived in Bremerton on Sept. 2. So, you will be aboard six nights. You will check-in on the ship at NAS North Island on 27 AUG between the hours of 1700-2000 and remain aboard until we arrive in Bremerton. Times for departure and arrival are still to be determined. We will provide a guest list to base security for access to NASNI.
Here are a few things that you will need to know for your cruise:
Note: Medical personnel on Kitty Hawk have the final determination if you are qualified/fit to ride the ship. You will be screened before boarding. If Kitty Hawk medical personnel determine you are un-fit to make the transit, you will be denied boarding in accordance with Navy regulations.
Helpful Hints For Tiger Cruise:
- Do not forget to bring enough of your medication for the entire transit. The ship cannot provide you with refills if you run out.
- Bring bath items appropriate for community living, e.g., shower shoes, shower caddy to carry bath products, towel, bathrobe.
- Bring closed-toe, comfortable shoes such as tennis shoes or work boots. Sandals or heels are not appropriate and are a safety hazard.
- Bring enough clothes for the duration of your stay. Laundry services will be limited on the ship.
- Bring comfortable pants. Shorts are not authorized as they do not provide adequate skin protection and are a safety hazard.
- Bring comfortable shirts with sleeves. Sleeveless shirts or tank-tops are not authorized except when exercising.
- Limited exercise facilities will be available during prescribed times. For those that choose to exercise, bring exercise clothing.
- Bring one light-weight jacket or sweater.
- Mark all electronic items for ownership and write down serial numbers prior to embarking. All items must be stored in a locked container (rack or locker) or on the person. There are very few locations to charge electronic items and all items must be safety checked. Computers, DVD players, Ipods, cell phones, and games cannot be left unsecured in berthing or work spaces.
- Contact wearers should bring a pair of glasses.
- Bring sunscreen, extra batteries for cameras or electronic items.
- Use a soft-sided duffle bag to pack personal items. Space is extremely limited in berthing compartments and there will be no storage space available for suitcases.
Things To Pack:
____ collapsible duffel bag
____ tooth brush
____ tooth paste
____ dental floss
____ razor
____ shaving cream
____ shampoo/conditioner
____ medication
____ lotion
____ pajamas and/or robe
____ shower shoes/flip flops
____ towel
____ wash cloth/puff
____ underwear
____ clothes
____ socks
____ comb/brush
____ (digital) camera
____ film/batteries
____ sunscreen
____ contact lenses/glasses
____ small flashlight
____ soap in plastic dish/body wash
____ cash (Personal checks not accepted)
____ walking shoes. You may be on your feet for hours.
____ wind breaker/sweatshirt for evenings
____ cross word puzzle book and/or novel for slack time
Things To Leave At Home:
____ hard-sided suitcase
____ high-value items (very little secure space to store personal belongings)
____ sheets/pillow (You are welcome to bring a pillow if you like)
____ electrical items (these have to be safety checked)
____ food/drinks (food will be provided by the mess; vending machines are available throughout the ship)
Safety issues:
As you well remember, Kitty Hawk was not built specifically with the crew’s comfort in mind. There are many hazards associated with Navy ships. Of specific concern are:
- Flight Deck and catwalks will be accessible between sunrise and sunset only and require a float coat and escort at all times.
- Engineering and Navigation Bridge will be off limits. There will be tour times posted when we get underway to allow a visit to those spaces.
- Ladders are dangerous, especially at sea. Always use both hands on railings or chains as you walk up or down ladders. Always double-check your footing, as slips are possible. Vertical ladders are off limits at all times.
- Overheads are low; in many places you will be required to duck. While we won’t have aircraft aboard, there may be other hazards in the hangar bay on which you can hit your head.
- There will be trip hazards everywhere. Knee-knockers in passageways are big trip hazards, as will aircraft tiedown chains, which may be used to tie down equipment in the hangar bay or on the flight deck.
- Kitty Hawk crewmembers will be using hazardous chemicals, cleaners, paints and similar items in their daily work, so care needs to be taken around these items. Also, if you find a space that has a strong odor, such as rotten eggs, do not enter the space. Shut the door and immediately notify a crewmember.
- If you see Sailors wearing protective gear while they are working, such as re-lagging a space or painting it, do not enter the space as there may be hazardous chemicals, or even asbestos.
- If you see any emergencies – fire, flooding, personnel injuries – call 9-1-1 and/or notify a crewmember immediately. Do not attempt to engage the casualty in any circumstance.
- Anything that looks out of place, seems strange or unusual, point it out to a crewmember. There may be a good reason for it being that way, or you may have discovered something that requires the crew’s attention. Either way, always be safe and get a crewmember involved.

SAN DIEGO - The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) with her crew of approximately 5,500 Sailors departed San Diego to begin her journey to Yokosuka, Japan to replace USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as the United States' only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier.

Commanded by Capt. John R. Haley, GW became the flagship for the Commander, Task Force 70 (CTF 70), Rear Adm. Richard B. Wren last week after he and his staff moved to GW from Kitty Hawk.

"The transition had been tremendously smooth and it's clear that we're passing an enormous milestone towards reaching USS George Washington's ultimate forward deployment assignment to the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans," said Wren. "We are particularly excited to foster a new era in our long-standing relationship with our host nation of Japan and the city of Yokosuka."

This will be the first time GW gets underway with CTF 70, Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW 5) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. GW will be the permanent flagship for CTF 70 while GW is forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan.

Task Force 70 is the Carrier Strike Group component of Battle Force Seventh Fleet, also led by Wren. In the past, the task force has been centered on USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), which will soon head to Bremerton, Wash. to decommission from naval service next year after 48 years on active duty.

The security environment in the Western Pacific region requires the United States to station the most capable ships forward for deterrence and the best possible response times for maritime and joint force operations. The forward deployment of GW ensures the ability of Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, to fulfill the U.S. Government's commitment to the defense of Japan, and the maintenance of international peace and security in the Far East in support of mutual cooperation and security. This posture also brings our most capable ships with the greatest amount of striking power and operational capability in the timeliest manner.

GW's replacement of Kitty Hawk is part of the Navy's long range effort to routinely replace older ships assigned to the Navy's forward-deployed forces with newer or more capable platforms.