Jim Nichols.
• Deck Division (DECK)-Even in a 'high-tech' age of networked computers and PGMs, there is still a need on every Naval vessel for sailors who can handle lines, small boats, anchors, and all the paraphernalia of traditional seamanship. The GW's 'Deck Division' handles everything from launching the ship's boats to manning the replenishment stations during underway refueling and replenishment (UNREP). Lieutenant Commander Johnnie Draughton, who will retire in late 1997, and will be replaced by Lieutenant Greg Worley, leads the sailors of the Deck Division.
• Dental Department (DENTAL)-A community of over six thousand people is bound to have some cavities, broken teeth, and dental emergencies while on cruise. Sending them ashore for treatment to a Navy hospital would be impractical and expensive, so GW is equipped with a full dental clinic. Headed by Commander Roger Houk, DDS, the Dental Department has everything necessary for good dental hygiene, not only for the crew of the GW, but also for the crews on the other ships of the battle group.
• Engineering Department (ENG)-The Engineering Department operates and maintains almost every system aboard GW except the two A4W nuclear reactors. These systems include electrical power, air-conditioning, jet and diesel fuel, and sewage transfer systems. Supervising literally hundreds of miles of pipes, ducts, and cable runs, and thousands of valves, pumps, switches, transformers, and gadgets, is GW Chief Engineer (CHENG) Lieutenant Commander Pete Petry.
• Combat Systems Division (CSD)-Without sensors and electronics, modern weapons systems are about as useful in battle as paperweights. The Combat Systems Division cares for the vast array of controlling hardware and software that makes the GW an effective weapons and aviation platform. Heading the CSD is the GW's Combat Systems Officer (CSO), Commander Diana Turonis.
• Legal Department (LEGAL)-Six thousand sailors, Marines, and their families add up to a lot of legal advice. To support this, the GW has a fully staffed Legal Department to ensure that everyone aboard has an up-to-date will and power of attorney before deployment, and to handle any investigations and courts-martial that might arise. As it happens, today's military personnel don't get in trouble with the law nearly as often as previous generations. However, long deployments make for high divorce rates and complex family problems. The ship's Legal Officer (LEGAL-OFF) is Lieutenant Commander Jim Roth, a sharp and able young lawyer. The Legal Officer is also the Captain's technical advisor on Rules of Engagement (ROE), the intricate and ever-changing documents that specify where, when, and how you can shoot.
• Medical Department (MEDICAL)-The GW Medical Department is equipped and staffed to handle everything from minor lacerations and sunburns to life-threatening trauma and accident cases. Because smaller ships of the battle group have only modest medical facilities and staff, GW acts as a central hospital for the force. Heading the GW medical team is the Ship's Medical Officer (SMO), Commander Dean Bailey, MD. He is due for relief in the fall of 1997 by Commander Mike Krentz, MD.
• Marine Detachment (MARDET)-Traditionally, the twenty-six-man Marine Detachment aboard supercarriers provided security for the 'special' (the euphemism for 'nuclear') weapons that used to be carried aboard. Today, nuclear weapons are no longer carried aboard carriers, and in late 1997 the Corps reassigned its MARDETs. But until that happened, the GW's MARDET commander was 1st Lieutenant Grant Goodrich.
• Navigation Department (NAV)-The traditional nautical skill of navigation has been revolutionized by GPS, digital charts, and real-time satellite weather updates. But it still takes an experienced navigator to advise the bridge watch about how exactly to steer the ship in a narrow channel or a tricky tactical situation. GW's Navigation Department is equipped with every kind of navigational instrument, from sextants to GPS receivers. The Navigational Officer (known as 'GATOR' for short) is Commander Ron Raymer. He is expecting to leave the ship in early 1998, and will be relieved by Commander Brian Cosgrove.
• Operations Department (OPS)-Everything from eating schedules and flight operations to making a rendezvous with a replenishment ship requires a high degree of skill and coordination. This is the job of the GW Operations Department, the group that recommends to the CO and XO how they will actually operate and 'fight' the GW, should the need arise. The GW Operations Officer (OPSO) is Commander Don Hepfer, who is a sly and skillful officer.
• Reactor Department (REACTOR)-Of all the departments aboard the GW, none is shrouded in tighter security than the 'Nukes.' On non-nuclear Navy vessels the Engineering Department controls the ship's propulsion. But on the GW, a dedicated Reactor Department controls the two mighty AW4 units and other associated machinery. They don't like publicity. They won't talk to you. Don't even ask. The department is controlled by a career nuclear surface officer, Captain Joe Krenzel, who will become the commander of the USS South Carolina (CGN-37) when he finishes his tour as Reactor Officer (RO) aboard GW.
• Safety Department (SAFETY)-GW is basically a large steel box filled with jet fuel, explosives and rocket fuel, toxic chemicals and waste, fissile material-and, of course, people! Working hard to keep them under control is the GW's Safety Department. This group is charged with monitoring hazardous materials, inspecting firefighting equipment and sanitation gear, and coordinating damage control with the other ship's departments. The GW's Safety Officer (SAFETYO) is Commander Jack Hassinger, who will be relieved in the fall of 1997 by Commander Dave Hegland.
• Supply Department (SUPPLY)-The GW utilizes thousands of different items during day-to-day operations at sea. Jet fuel and floppy disks, ground beef and paper towels are all used in quantities that stagger the imagination. Keeping up with the ordering, stowing, and record-keeping required to keep GW running is the Supply Department. The GW's Supply Officer or SUPPO is Commander Jim Ellison, who can be either the most or least popular officer aboard!
• Training Department (TRAINING)-One of the biggest challenges for the GW's crew is to continue their professional growth and training while embarked on cruise. Doing this requires regular refresher training and qualification for various skills and equipment, which is the responsibility of the Training Department, commanded by Lieutenant Matt Hempel. He is due to be relieved in late 1997 by Lieutenant Ann Hollenbeck. This department supports correspondence courses to help personnel qualify for their next promotion, distance-learning classes, and video classes, for new tactics and onboard equipment.
• Weapons Department (WEPS)-Though GW is not as heavily armed as her battle group escorts, she still packs a considerable self-defense 'punch'-including Mk. 29 Sea Sparrow SAM launchers and 20mm Mk. 15 Phalanx CIWS systems. GW additionally has a number of M-2.50-caliber machine guns for defense against swimmers and small boats. These are maintained by the Weapons Department, which is headed by the 'Gunner,' Commander Lee Price. Actual weapons firing is controlled by the Tactical Officer (TACO) in the ship's Combat Direction Center (CDC).
The official emblem of Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-I) JACK RYAN ENTERPRISES, LTD., BY LAURA DENINNO 
