Thanks guys! :P

Paul LOL! He may have cooked it in jet fuel hehe...

Richard Welcome to the Group!

My son is ABH2 on the IKE.  Bay PO Hangar Bay 2.

Rod Welcome to the Group! My son is ABHAN on the USS Anchorage (LPD 23)...

121218-N-OY799-276
ARABIAN SEA (Dec. 18, 2012) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Kyle McCarthy, from Springsville, N.Y., directs an aircraft on the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth Abbate/Released)

After a 10 day leave, our sailor is on his way back to Naval Base San Diego and we already miss him. He had a great time with the family to jump start the New Year. He also enjoyed quality time with his girlfriend and hanging out with his buddies. We are hoping to see him again hopefully before he deploys...

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Samuel Perez launches an F/A-18C Hornet from the Golden Dragons of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 192 from aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth Abbate/Released)

Shannon Welcome to the Group!

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Airman Gavin Snyder, left, and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 1st Class Mark Davidson pull a fuel hose across the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian Read Castillo/Released)

130205-N-JU810-265 USS ANCHORAGE, At Sea (Feb. 7, 2013) - Sailors assigned to San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock Anchorage (LPD 23) participate in the ship's Flight Operations Assessment (FOA), which certifies the flight deck and crew to conduct future flight operations on the ship. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Aramis X. Ramirez/RELEASED)

Bud Welcome to the Group!

David Welcome to the Group!

Tom Welcome to the Group!

Chief Grayson Welcome to the Group!

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (March 29, 2013) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Christiana Marszalek signals as an AV-8B Harrier takes off from the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is deployed as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group with embarked Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is on a deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Corbin Shea)

Daniel Welcome to the Group!

GREAT LAKES, Ill. (April 2, 2013) Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Gregory Piazza, a recruit division commander, wears a red aiguillette with his Type 1 Navy working uniform one day after NAVADMIN 084/13 took effect, authorizing the red rope to be worn with the uniform. Recruit division commanders train 39,000 recruits annually at Recruit Training Command, the Navy's only boot camp. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Liza Swart/Released)

Nimitz Sailor Becomes a Navy First...

Story Number: NNS130424-14
4/24/2013

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Linda S. Swearingen

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- An officer on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is the Navy's first female Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) Boatswain (Bos'n).

The Navy's first female ALRE Bos'n, Ens. Kimberlee D. Hazle, of Valley View, Texas, checked on board Nimitz in March 2013.

Hazle joined the Navy when she was 18 years old after she graduated from high school.

"I joined the Navy in 2001," said Hazle. "I thought it would give me good experiences and [help me] grow up."
She came into the Navy as an undesignated Airman and struck aviation boatswain's mate (equipment) (ABE) a year later.

After being an ABE for 12 years, Hazle put in her package for the limited duty officer (LDO) program and was commissioned as the Navy's first female ALRE Bos'n in November 2012.

"It was always my goal to become an ALRE and to do better for the Air Department and the ABEs," said Hazle. "I always wanted to be on top of the chain [of command] and to be a Bos'n to improve processes, safety, qualifications and maintenance."

After becoming a commissioned officer, Hazle made her way to Nimitz in early 2013.

"I came to the Nimitz in February," said Hazle. "This is my third carrier. Previously, I was stationed on the Reagan and the Stennis. I will be on board Nimitz for about three more years."

Hazle comes from a long line of veterans who served in various branches of the military and is the first female in her family to serve.

"My whole family was military," said Hazle. "My dad, my uncle, both my grandfathers. My uncle was actually a Bos'n as well."

According to Hazle, the best part of being a Bos'n is the launching and recovering of the aircraft from the flight deck and helping junior Sailors she works with learn how to do the job she loves.

"[I enjoy] helping the junior Sailors qualify to launch and recover," said Hazel. "It's a lot of hard work, but I don't want to do anything else. The junior Sailors are the reason I want to do this because they run this division."

Being a Bos'n on board an aircraft carrier can present a lot of challenges such as long hours, extreme weather conditions and being around equipment that can cause serious bodily harm or death if not used properly, but Hazle always looks on the bright side and keeps her attitude positive.

"The equipment can be rather challenging, but that's how we get our work out in," said Hazle.

The main part of the ship that Hazle is in charge of is the catapults and arresting gear located on the flight deck, two of the main things necessary to launch and recover aircraft from an aircraft carrier.

"Without those two things, there would be no fixed wing flight [operations]," said Hazle.

For Hazle, being the Navy's first female Bos'n is not something she feels is out of the ordinary and is something that comes naturally to her.

"As far as being the first female Bos'n, I want to do well and have it be the norm and to not be the elephant in the room," said Hazle. "I feel very normal doing it and very supported by my division and my department."...

Just a quick update.  My son was made a Deck PO in the Hangar Bays a few weeks ago.

Rod Congrats and Bravo Zulu to Brian!

My son advanced to ABH3...HOOYAH!

Ron Welcome to the Group!

Stephanie Kirkpatrick, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate - Fuels...

Ken Welcome to the Group!

George Washington Sailor Receives U.S. Pacific Fleet Award...

Story Number: NNS130629-03Release Date: 6/29/2013 8:33:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michelle N. Rasmusson

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- A Sailor aboard the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) received the Pacific Fleet 2013 Aviation Boatswain's Mate of the Year award, June 24.

Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 1st Class (AW/SW) Luis Martinez, the leading petty officer for 242 Sailors in the largest division aboard George Washington, V-2, was selected from 10 other highly-qualified U.S. Pacific Fleet nominees.

"It's a great accomplishment and honor because there are a lot of great aviation boatswain's mates (equipment) throughout the Pacific Fleet," said Martinez.

The award is given to individuals based on their sustained superior performance in challenging billets, contributions to the Navy and service to the community.

"His leadership style and his skills played a big part on him receiving this award," said Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Al Hyatt, V-2 division's leading chief petty officer. "He just does his job and he does it well. That's why he's deserving of this award. I couldn't ask for anyone
better other than him to receive it. I'm glad I was able to see him get awarded."

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its partners and allies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. 

Hans Welcome to the Group!

Michael Welcome to the Group!

Mike Welcome to the Group!