USS Carl Vinson Gets Afloat Safety Award

Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker honored aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) as the Pacific Fleet winner of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Afloat Safety Award for 2014 during a ceremony on the ship’s flight deck, Jan. 11.

To select the winner, CNAF rated Carl Vinson’s safety programs, mishaps, mishaps reporting and safety performance over the year against other Pacific Fleet aircraft carriers.

“This is a tremendous achievement for any command,” said Shoemaker. “A success like this doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a product of tireless effort, teamwork, and excellent leadership from the captain and crew.”

The command-level award recognizes safety excellence both on and off the job. Carl Vinson safety officer Cmdr. Sean Loofbourrow said it is a great honor to be recognized for keeping people safe.

“All hands play a part in safety on a day-to-day basis,” said Loofbourrow. “Whether you’re driving into work, making sure you have your seatbelt on or you’re in the workplace making sure you’re wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and having supervisors present, it’s truly an all-hands effort.”

Loofbourrow also said Carl Vinson’s safe execution of high-tempo combat operations during an extended deployment was a contributing factor in being selected for the award.

During 2014, Carl Vinson completed a successful work up cycle, began a nearly 10-month deployment and played an integral role in Operation Inherent Resolve carrying the ship, her crew and embarked air wing safely into 2015. As Team Carl Vinson makes its way closer to the end of its current CNO Planned Incremental Availability (PIA), safety will be a recurring theme as the next work up cycle rapidly approaches.

“This is really a reflection of the diligence and dedication of the crew focusing on safety during that calendar year,” said Loofbourrow. “It’s really a Bravo Zulu to everyone on Carl Vinson.”