Welcome to the Independence Communication Department Web Page!

Click here for the Comm. Department Bulletin Board...

The Communications Department upon "Freedom’s Flagship" ensures the "Oldest and the Finest" is able to conduct varied operations and meet her mission. The department is led by the Communications Officer, or COMMO, LT Tim Quinn, the Radio Officer (aka "RBOSS), LTJG Bert Jennings and the Departmental Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO), RMCS Ron Carlson. The department is broken into two divisions - Communications Signal (CS) led by our crusty Master Chief, SMCM Chuck Handley (SW) and Communications Radio (CR) led by one of our "new guys" RMCS (SW) Richard Rowe. CS Division is supported by 14 SM’s while CR Division is comprised of 47 RM’s broken into two separate work centers: Facilities Control (FACCON) led by RMC Fred Morales, temporarily assigned from the USS Constellation, and the message Processing Center (MPC) led by RMC (AW) Bill Felder. They’re responsible for coordinating duties, proper training and leadership necessary for us to meet our primary purpose - to provide fast, reliable communications in support of Commander battle force SEVENTH Fleet, Commander Destroyer Squadron FIFTEEN, Commander Carrier Air Wing FIVE, eleven squadrons and the 19 departments of the ship during battlegroup operations, multi-national exercises and real world contingencies.

Signalmen work outside on the Signal Bridge, 110 feet high in the superstructure or "Island" of the ship. They are responsible for providing visual communications with accompanying ships and perform lookout duties for the Officer of the Deck (OOD). Visual communications allow battle group units to send and receive information without risking detection and are accomplished primarily three ways - flashing light, semaphore and flag hoists. Flashing light is accomplished using shuttered searchlights and Morse Code to pass messages. Semaphore utilizes a special alphabet formed by different positions of the hand-held flags used during the day and lighted wands at night and once proficient, a SM can spell out up to 15 words per minute. Flag hoist is used for tactical signals and to let ships know what type of operations we are conducting.

To accomplish their lookout duties SM must be proficient in spotting and identifying ships and aircraft while providing their bearing and range to the bridge. In addition, Signalmen must be familiar with the navigational "Rules of the Road" and be able to properly render honors to passing ships.

While the Signalmen work outside, the Radiomen work in secure spaces keeping information flowing to, from and within the ship. They are the classic "behind the scenes" men who keep things running smoothly so the show can go on. The Message Processing Center ensures that all messages received by the ship are properly logged, tracked and disseminated to the various staffs, squadrons and departments throughout the ship. In a typical day on INDY that means handling more than 2500 operational, administrative and general messages including individual orders, pay information and even the occasional birth announcement! The RM’s in MPC are also responsible for troubleshooting system hardware and software for more efficient delivery.

Facilities Control is the central control spot for all circuit setups and troubleshooting. Once the circuits are setup the Radioman route, or "patch", them to the various watch stations throughout the ship. During exercises or real world operations they maintain more than 90 SHF, EHF, UHF and HF circuits - from air control circuits and tactical data links to a variety of satellite circuits, including email and Video Teleconferencing (VTC). The RM’s are also responsible for the maintenance of more than 62 antennas and their associated equipment.

In today’s high tech world, the flow of information continues to grow and the Communications Department is in the forefront ensuring INDEPENDENCE, her embarked staffs and squadrons are fully connected and able to accomplish their mission as the navy’s only forward deployed aircraft carrier - "On the Tip of the Spear". We are proud of our service on "Freedom’s Flagship" and our distinction of having won the COMNAVAIRPAC Green "C" for Communications Excellence four of the last five years.