Vice Admiral Visits USS Nimitz

Vice Adm. David Buss, commander, Naval Air Forces, presented 23 Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) with their enlisted air warfare specialist pins, and the ship’s first enlisted information dominance warfare specialist pin during a ceremony held on board Jan. 11.

Buss, who served as the executive officer aboard Nimitz in the late 1990’s, said he was excited to be back on board one of the ships he served on.

“I saved the best for last,” said Buss as he finished his tour of Navy Region Northwest. “There’s a certain magic that happens aboard Nimitz. The way they take care of each other is unlike anything else.”

Before the ceremony, some recipients attended a special luncheon with Buss where they had a chance to tell him more about themselves and receive advice from him about their upcoming deployment.

“It’s a real honor. My friends can’t be at the pinning so it was great to tell my family I was going to have an Admiral pin me,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Jessica Williams, one of the Sailors who received their pin. “I looked up his information online when I heard he was pinning me to see what he’s done, and it’s impressive.”

The pinning ceremony was one of many stops the Admiral made during his inspection of Navy Region Northwest.

“I never thought I’d get pinned by a three-star admiral,” said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Travis Lile, who received his air pin from Buss.

While visiting the area, Buss’ wife took a tour of Sailor housing areas with the spouses of Commander, Carrier Air Wing 11 Vice Adm. Peter Gumataotao, and Nimitz’ Commanding Officer, Capt. Jeff Ruth to inspect living conditions for Sailors and their families.

Taking care of Sailors was one of Buss’ top priorities while visiting.

“I think it’s great that our chain of command is taking an interest and making sure we are given good living conditions,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Juan Robledo, a Nimitz Sailor.

The Admiral also toured at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bremerton, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Naval Station Everett, as well as the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) earlier in the week.

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Naval Today Staff, January 13, 2013