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Greetings Lincoln Nation! Another week of dry dock down and many more to come! ThemanyassociationsofBigAbehavestartedfiringupthegrillsinsupportofMWR,Sailorsandshipyardworkersworkingthroughdrydock. OurAbeWarriorsoutatLIFACarehardatworkcutting,draftingandblastingawayatpartsofAbetomakesureshefloatswhenit’sallsaidanddone. Captain’sCupgamescontinuewithsomehighenergyindoorvol-leyball.Lincolnisspikingdownit’sopponents. WehavesometrueAbeWarriorswhohaverisenabovetherest.TheCOtookthetimetocelebratetheiroutstandingeffortswithapersonalthankyou. KeepupthegoodworkLincolnNation!

From the Editor

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USSAbraham Lincoln’s Medical Department isworkingtowardsimprovingitsservicestoSailorsthrough an ongoing patient satisfaction survey.

The command first surveyed the crew during the2011-2012 deployment. Upon entering RefuelingComprehensive Overhaul (RCOH), Medicalslowed down the release of surveys to be able todetermine an accurate number for patient satisfaction.

They fixed the deficiency and the numbers lookpromising,accordingtoShip’sNurseLt.AbdonGalera.

“With the numbers being calculated,” saidGalera. “The survey shows us that less than5 percent of our patients are dissatisfied.”

Thesurveysarehandedouttopatientsatthecustomerservice desk.Once the surveys are received back fromthepatients,Galerapersonallyreviewsallofthesurveys.Onthesurvey,patientscanexpresshowtheyfeelaboutthe quality of their medical department experience:completely satisfied, somewhat satisfied, undecided,

somewhat dissatisfied or completely dissatisfied.For the patients who feel their medical experience

was somewhat or completely dissatisfied Galerapersonally contacts the patient to investigatewhy the patient was unhappy with their visit.

“Normallythecomplaintisabouthavinglonglines,”said Galera. “I believe the survey is very important toour quality of work. It gives us a big-picture view ofwheresomeofourgapsareandwherewecanfillthem.”

OncethesurveyshavebeenreviewedandinvestigatedthesurveysarethenforwardedtoNavalAirForcesAtlanticCommand. Galera asks to take the survey seriously.

“Surveysarewhatwebaseourimprovementupon,”saidGalera.“Wedon’tknowhowwecanimproveourqualityofworkifwearegivingdefectiveorhalfheartedanswers.”

Since life on board the Lincoln has shifted duringRCOH, the Medical Department aims to keep itsstandardshighasitservesthemedicalneedsofitsSailors.

Survey SaysMedical Top-Notch

StorybySNPhyiciaHansonPhotosbyMC3JeremiahMills

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USSAbrahamLincolnishostingafantailcookoutthreedaysaweekcalled“AbeGrill”toraisefundsforLincolnassociationsaswellastheship’sMorale,WelfareandRecreation(MWR)

program.AbeGrillinvolveseveryassociationLincolnhastoofferincluding

theOfficer’sWardroom,MustangAssociation,ChiefPettyOfficer’sAssociation,FirstClassPettyOfficer’sAssociation,SecondClassPettyOfficer’sAssociationandJuniorEnlistedAssociation.“Thisevent isto support these associations and raise money for future commandeventssuchasthecommandpicnicandholidayparties,”saidLt.j.g.ChadwickBradford,AbeGrill’scoordinatingofficer.

Each organization receives a portion of the earnings fromAbeGrill.TheremaindergoestoMWR.

“The turnout, so far,hasbeenexceptional,” saidBradford.“Themorale throughout the associations has been outstanding, and theSailorsreallyseemtobeenjoyingwhatwehavetooffer.”

Sailors aboard Lincoln continue to show their appreciation andsupportoftheAbeGrill.

“Ifeelgoodknowingthecommandisprovidingtheoptionoffoodthatisn’toutofavendingmachineandit’saplusthatit’sgoingtohelpfundMWReventsthatIcanenjoylater,”saidElectronicsTechnician3rdClassAlexanderWade.“TheAbeGrillisaconvenientoptionforwhenIforgetalunchorwantsomethingfreshandtasty.”

Theassociationswork in rotation,witheachpicking thedays tovolunteertheirtimefortheAbeGrill.

“ThegrillgivestheChief’sMesstheopportunitytogivebacktoLincolnSailors,”saidChiefAviationBoatswain’sMate(Equipment)MiguelMudahy.“AsanorganizationwelookforwardtoservingandsupportingLincolnasawhole.”

AbeGrillisopenonLincoln’sfantaileveryTuesday,WednesdayandThursday.

Cooking up a Stormabe grill

StorybyMC3BenjaminT.ListonPhotosbyMC3JoshuaWalters

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AsUSSAbrahamLincoln(CVN72)undergoesa 48-month refueling complex overhaul(RCOH), a reassigned crew of mechanical-

trade Sailors are busy constructing, repairing andrefittingcomponentsfromtheship,atNewportNewsShipyard’ssatelliteLight IndustrialFacility (LIFAC).

Therearethreebaysthatfunctionasanassemblyline,using68personnelthatoperate135differentmachinestoprocesstheitemsthatarebroughtinfromtheship.

Although production is an importantaspect, LIFAC’s Training Coordinator, AviationElectrician’s Mate Michael Shipley emphasizedthe facility’s main responsibility is safety.

“Our primary focus is safety,” Shipley said.“These machines are very dangerous, and thereforeall personnel go through a rigorous training programto keep them qualified and proficient to operatewith efficiency to meet the ship’s schedule.”

Bay One Supervisor, Aviation Machinist Mate2nd Class Perry Anderson, explained the differentproduction stations that he is responsible for.

“The ‘Paraloft’ fabricates the air crew’s ready-room chairs, barber chairs and flame-resistantHerculite covers which protect machinery inthe ship’s engineering spaces,” said Anderson.

Sailors who work in the wood shop use anarray of carpentry skills to make plywood coversfor heavy machinery and standard award plaques.

Thewoodshophasalsoproduced100customizedaircraft carrier-shaped plaques called “skateboards,”a coveted ship memorabilia item made fromdiscarded wooden pallets, according to Anderson.

“After the pallets are carefully disassembled tominimizephysicaldamage,thewoodshopcuts,shapesand smoothes theboards into thebasicdesign,” saidAviationMachinistMate 3rdClass RafaelMartinez.“Theboardsarethenlaserengravedwithcustomizedmessages on behalf of the commanding officer.”

The machine shop Sailors have also beenvaluable to the ship’s schedule. Using universalmilling and lathe machines, these Sailors producedalmost 100 foreign material exclusion plugs usedfor hydraulic hoses in the ship’s aircraft elevators.

The highlight of the machinists’ productionhowever, is the computer numerical controlled(CNC) plasma cutter which cuts metal up to five-eighths of an inch thick into any shape or size.

Within just two weeks, the plasma cutter hascompleted2,000precision-cutdeckdraincovers.

The correlation of proper training to safety,as well as production, was reiterated by Shipley,who is responsible for implementing NAVOSHsafety training, personnel qualification standardsand in-rate training for the entire department.

“If we send out fire hose fittings to the ship,but they do not meet specifications because theperson who worked on them was not proficient,we will have to buy new stock, recall the item andredo the work,” said Shipley. “This can cause adomino effectwhich can delay the ship’s schedule.”

Shipley summarized that proper training alongwithutilizingall-in-onefacilitiesasLIFACcanreduceoperationalcostfortheLincoln,aswellastheNavy.

LIFAC BAy OneGettIn’ thInGs DOne

StorybyMC3DanianDouglasPhotosbySNPhyliciaHanson

LIFAC BAy OneGettIn’ thInGs DOne

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EightSailors aboardUSSAbrahamLincolnSailors fromvarious departments teamed up to compete in NavalStationNorfolk’svolleyballtournamentApril23and24.

Theteamisrankedthirdinthetenteamtournamentandhasspent6weeksbuildingcamaraderieandmorale.

Lincoln’svolleyballteamisYeoman1stClassDarrellJohnson(teamcaptain),PersonnelSpecialist2ndClassJoseCova,Yeoman2ndClassHayleyRienstra,AviationOrdnanceman3rdClassTitoSiatu,Machinist’sMate3rdClassJosephPassi,HullTechnicianPettyOfficer3rdClassMiguelGonzalezandShip’sServicemanSeamanChinilHurst.SinceMarch,theteamhasplayedagainst10 other sea and shore commands, at Naval Station Norfolk.TheirgamesareplayedattheN-24gymnasiumonbaseMondaythroughThursdayevenings.

“PlayingfortheLincolnteammakesmeproudtobeapartofthecommand,”saidCova.

Lincoln’svolleyballteamhaswoneightof10games.Someoftheirvictoriesaretheresultofblowoutwins.TheirgoalistowinthetournamentandbringthetrophybacktotheshipApril25.

“Ifeelsuperexcitedbecauseweknowwecandoit,”saidCova.“Weplaywelltogetherandwehavegoodteamcommunication.”

Along with their outstanding performance, the team hastakenadvantageoftheopportunitytobuildsportsmanshipwithoneanother.Johnsonsentane-mailtothe1stclasscommunitytoencourageplayerstojoin.TheteamgatheredfortheirfirstgameMarch11.Inspiteofconstantlychangingschedulestheteamhasbeenabletostaytogether.

“Oncetheseasonisoverwewillcontinuetoplayoutintowntogether,”saidJohnson.

Eventhoughtheseasonmaybecomingtoanend,theteamplanstocontinuetoplaytogether.

Captain’s CupVolleyball

StoryandphotosbyMC3ChristinaNaranjo

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RobertWindham, aNewportNewsShipyard worker for 30 years,was named one of threeWarriors

of the Week in the conference room ofUSSAbraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Float-ingAccommodation Facility (FAF)April18. Lincoln’s commanding officer, Capt.KarlThomas,recognizedWindhamforhiscan-doattitude,settinganexampleamongotherassociatesandhelpingtorepairvari-ous cranes.Windhammentors novice as-sociates andnewengineers in the refuel-ingarea.ThefirstshiftteamleaderforthepurpleteamoftheRefuelingTeam’sSur-faceShipSupportBarge,hewasawardeda Lincoln skateboard, a Captain’s Coinandacknowledgementamonghisleaders.

Bob Laubengayer, the LincolnAircraftElectrical Servicing System (AESS)ProductionManager, was honored as

WarrioroftheWeekfortheweekofApril18.Laubengayerwas recognized forhis superiorproject management. He was able to hirean abatement contractor once encounteringhazards while working on complex hatchand trunk repairs to address safety concerns.Laubengayer ensured a smooth transitionof AESS work as the ship transitioned intoRefueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH) andhelped enable a successful CVN 72 SmartStart(thepreparativeworkconductedtobeginRCOH).ThomasalsopresentedLaubengayera Lincoln skateboard and a Captain’s Coin.

Electrician’s Mate 2nd ClassBrandenWagner was awardedWarrior of the Week for the

weekofApril11.Wagnerandhisteamstayedonboardfor96straighthourstosetupthenewreactorworkcomplex.They set up Propulsion Plant LocalArea Network (PPLAN) computers,ran cable and set up the network fortheshipandtheFloatingAccommoda-tionFacility.WagnersaidthatPPLANensuresReactorDepartmentmaintainsthe continuity of its vital resources.

“While I appreciate being ac-knowledged, I’d rather have my en-tire team receive the acknowledge-mentratherthanmyself,”saidWagner.

Wagner was acknowledgedamong his leaders and shipyard di-rectors and was awarded a Lincoln skateboard and a Captain’s Coin.

Information Systems TechnicianSeaman Apprentice Mark DaenearnedWarrior of theWeek for

theweekofApril18.Capt.Thomasapplauded Seaman Daen for takingcharge of his teammates, selflessattitude and hard work. Daen wasable to lead his team to make the command’s computers functional.He repaired 75 workstations,11 laptops and four printers.

“Ifeelhonoredandproudtoknowthat my hard work is being noticed by the chain of command,” saidDaen.

Capt. Thomas awardedDaen a Lincoln skateboardand a Captain’s Coin.

StorybyMC3ChristinaNaranjo

Sailors fromUSSAbrahamLincolnvolunteeredto assist setting up Virginia Peninsula FoodBank’s(VPFB)20thAnnual“TastefullyYours,”

a foodandwine tastingfund-raiser,April16and17.The premiere food and wine tasting

event showcases area restaurants April 18at the Hampton Roads Convention Center.

VPFB’svolunteercoordinator,MariaQuigley,saidthat100percentoftheproceedsgobacktothefoodbankwhich,during27yearsofoperationhasdistributedmorethan121millionpoundsoffoodandrelatedproductsto the needy in the North Hampton Roads region.

“Our volunteers are our lifeblood,”said Quigley. “Without them we wouldnot be able to make this event successful.”

Lincoln Sailors hauled in supplies,decorated chairs and tables, arranged flowersand lighting and assisted with cleanup.

“We put out word throughout our departmentthat we needed manpower for the event, and

Lincoln SailorsAssist Food bankStoryandphotosMC3DanianDouglas

people responded and showed up to work,” saidAviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class JoannaMadrid, Lincoln’s coordinator for the event.

Quigley said that each event growsbigger and better and they are expecting3,000 to 3,500 patrons for this year’s event.

“I’ve done community relation events beforebut never like this one,” said Personnel SupportSpecialist 2ndClassMatthewUnuame. “It is a greatwaytogivebacktoourcommunitythroughtheNavy.”

“We are very fortunate to live in a communitywherewe have such a bigmilitary presence.We geta lot of military support for our programs from allmilitarybranchesincludingcontractors,”saidQuigley.“Whetheritistosortfrozenmeat,movemoundsofdirtordistributefoodproducts,ourmilitaryisahugesourceof physical and financial support to our program.”

Madrid reiterated the importance for Sailorswholiveintheareatobeinvolvedwithcommunityprojects.

“It is important to show that the Navy as anorganization is willing to give back when we arehere, by helping the community and not just bepassers-through,” said Madrid. “It shows thatwe are a total force and not just war fighters.”

Foo ankVIRGINIA PENINSULA

TheFleetandFamilySupportCenter(FFSC)inNewportNews,Va.,isprovidesSailorsandtheirfamiliesworkingintheNewport

NewsShipyardswithavarietyoffreeservicesto support thempersonally and professionally.

“When they first arrive in the areawe offer relocation services,” said EricaCharity, a life skills educator for FFSC. “Wehelp with family employment, we have lifeskills classes and parenting programs, andwe also have financial educators to help.”

Lifeskillseducationincludesareassuchas anger and stress management, relationshipbuilding, parenting and individual counseling.FFSC also offers courses in communicatingeffectivelywiththeircommandandthefamily.

“If there are any resources that peopleshouldtakeadvantageofit’sourcommunicationcourse,” said Charity. “We have a class aboutmaintainingrespectintheworkplace,whereweteach people how to draw the line and handletheirissues.WealsohelppeoplecommunicatewithdifferentgenerationsofNavypersonnel.”

The educators, counselors andassistants of FFSC not only help from theiroffice, but also come to Sailors as well.

“Our relocation manager can helppeople transfer by contacting other bases toaid the transition,” saidCharity. “Wehave theaccessweneedtogotopeoplewheretheyare.We’vegot thehardhats todoitandallofourprograms can be done outside of our office.”

A key part of FFSC’s support isdealing with Sailors leaving the Navy

and transitioning into other careers. “We meet with prospective employers

around the area and ask what they’re lookingfor,” said Charity. “We want to help Sailorslearn how to properly market themselvesand succeed in whatever new venture theychoose.We have resume workshops and one-on-one counseling for anyone interested.”

Sailors from around thearea are encouraged to access theservices the center has to offer.

“Wetakecareofthefamiliesthatcometous,andintroducethemtotheircommunity,”saidCharity“It’simportantforpeopletoknowtheyhavethesupporttheyneed,whentheyneedit.”

The Newport News FFSC is onthe second floor of the Maritime SquareBuilding (also known as the 2600 Building)at the corner of Washington Avenue and26th Street in downtown Newport News.

Contact InformationPhone:(757)688-6289

Hours:Mon.-Thurs0730-1630 Friday0730-1400

Fleet and FamilySupport Center

StorybyMC2KyleR.Henley

Morethan90Sailorsparticipatedina week-long reading event at the Wiloughby Child Development

Center on Naval Station (NAVSTA)Norfolk April 15-19 in support of theMonth of the Military Child (MOTMC).

April was designated as theMOTMC by former DefenseSecretary Caspar Weinberger in 1986.

The month-long observance is set aside asatimetorecognizemilitaryfamiliesandtheir children for the daily sacrifices theymakeandtheobstaclestheyovercome,suchas frequent moves, separation from theiractive-duty parents and school changes.

Veanna R. Sutton, new parent supportspecialist at Fleet and Family SupportCenters (FFSC)MidAtlantic, said shewasoverwhelmed by the number of volunteers.

“ItissowonderfultoseethismanySailorsgivetheirtimetothechildren,”saidSutton.

Logistics Specialist 2nd ClassMatthew Hughes, a Lincoln Sailorvolunteering for the reading event,said he is always happy to lend a hand.

“Asa fatherof amilitarychildmyself,I know how important it is to support the

programs available,” said Hughes. “It isalwaysanupliftingexperiencetogivebackto military children who make up such aspecial part of our nation’s population.”

Capt. David A. Culler, Jr., NAVSTAcommanding officer, said although Aprilis recognized as the MOTMC, militarychildren deserve full support year-round.

“While we often recognize theservice member, it is important toremember thatkids serve too,” saidCuller.

Kathleen C. Thompson, an FFSCMid Atlantic work and family lifeconsultant, said MOTMC is important toremember our military children and theconnection they hold with their families.

“So often we forget that they needthe love and attention that is often missed unintentionally. Their lives areprecious to our future,” said Thompson.

There are many MOTMC events inthe Hampton Roads area this month inaddition to the reading event includinga spring safari and a children’s festival.

Formoreinformationontheeventstakingplace,contacttheFleetandFamilySupportCenter Newport News at (757) 688-6289.

Military Child of the MonthStoryandphotoillustrationbyMC3ZacharyS.Welch

Military Child of the Month

Story and photo by MC3 Christina Naranjo

12 THE PENNY PRESS