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George Washington Sailor Receives Propulsion Plant Watch Officer of the Year Award
Story Number: NNS130430-01
4/30/2013

By MCSN Michelle N. Rasmusson

YOKOSUKA, Japan (April 27, 2013) (NNS) -- An officer aboard the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) was selected as the 2012 Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific (COMNAVAIRPAC) Propulsion Plant Watch Officer of the Year.

Lt. Christopher M. Engdahl, from George Washington's reactor department, was announced via official Navy message traffic as the recipient of the award April 23.

The Propulsion Plant Watch Officer of the Year award recognizes contributions to force readiness made by nuclear-trained junior officers aboard nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.

"Engdahl's leadership skills helped our ship maintain its operational and material readiness," said Cmdr. Juan Orozco, George Washington's reactor officer. "He was a mentor for his divisions and helped push them to become some of the most qualified Sailors aboard George Washington."

Engdahl's two divisions had the highest percentage of enlisted warfare qualified Sailors aboard George Washington and boasted 11 reenlistments with an 87 percent retention rate. He also guided more than 50 Sailors through a successful selected restricted availability and a visit by the Board of Inspection and Survey.

"He was a vital member of George Washington's reactor department," said Orozco. "All of his Sailors looked to him as a mentor and role model."

The other nominees for the award were Lt. Jeffrey Sangillo, USS Nimitz (CVN 68); Lt. Gregory Dietzen, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70); Lt. Earle Lemasters, USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74); and Lt. Elan Rotklein, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its partners and allies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

For more news from USS George Washington (CVN 73), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn73/.