Story By: JO3 Joseph Rehana
email: pareha40@cv62.navy.mil
Date: February 4, 1998
Technology has graced Independence with instant access to information, hot food, e-mail, live televised state-side programming, cold sodas, telephones, video games, and the list goes on depending on how far back in time you want to travel.
Making use of advanced technology such as GPS (global positioning system) and radar, the ship's Navigation Department keeps Indy on course and in safe water. But what happens when the "lights go out?"
"We use tools navigators have used for centuries," said Quartermaster Chief (SW) Norman Graham from Kingston, Jamaica. "We use the sun, moon, planets, and stars."
Recently, the Navigation Department underwent a 48-hour "systems down" period honing the skills of the Quartermasters to use celestial bodies to navigate Independence.
"We use the sun and stars every day to compare to our GPS readings," the ship's Navigator, Commander Mark Ackerman from Huntington Beach, Calif., said. "Turning off the GPS and using celestial bodies solely was to ensure we're proficient enough in our trait for any real casualties."
Ackerman said when the ship is conducting flight operations, the course changes hundreds of times, adding to the Quartermaster's challenge of keeping the whereabouts of Independence on track.
"Even with all the technology we have at our fingertips today, we're still able to maintain incredible accuracy without it," said Assistant Navigator Lt. Butch Penton from Houston, Tx. "The QMs here have the complete confidence of every Officer of the Deck whether they're using tools built during WWII, or guidance systems shot into space yesterday."
Penton added that a recent addition of TAD personnel brought added talent to the department that assisted in the success of this drill. "QM1 Buyuum, QM2 Schultz, and QM2 Aanensen gave up shore duty to lend a hand out here, and that's truly appreciated."
"The last time we ran this drill we did it for three days coming back from Australia," said QM2 Fredrick Werlein from Houston, Tx. "We ended up with less than a two-mile deviation." Werlein said it can get tricky on overcast or hazy days. "To me, it's an art."
Photo Cutline: QM3 Ray Saavedra from Sacramento, CA is part of the Navigation team that keeps Indy on track.