Aviation ordnancemen (AO) assigned to the Weapons Department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) recently travelled to Fallon, Nevada, to support Carrier Air Wing 7 in constructing more than 120 tons of ordnance.

With Lincoln undergoing refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH), Sailors are often asked to take on tasks outside of what they typically do while on an operational carrier. So when the opportunity arises to send Sailors on a temporary assigned duty to work in their rate, the chain of command does what it can to send their Sailors.

"This was a unique training opportunity for 12 of our Sailors to get experience doing their job outside of the shipyard," said Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Donnie Dowell, assigned to Lincoln's Weapons Department.

Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Derontae Crandall, who was recently designated as an AO, said he greatly benefited from this experience and has a better understanding and working knowledge of what he will be doing when the ship is re-delivered to the fleet as an operational fighting warship.

"It was exciting to work in my rate," said Crandall. "I love the people I work with and the people I work for."

For Crandall, not attending the traditional "A" school for aviation ordnancemen provided challenges going into this training opportunity. He attended a week-long school to help bring him up to speed on the different types of parts and materials used, but said that training and working with live ordnance really put everything into perspective for him.

"This opportunity allowed me to see it firsthand," said Crandall.

For many young Sailors like Crandall, the experience gave them the opportunity to do the job AOs are meant to do and get some invaluable training as Lincoln prepares to return to the fleet.

Lincoln is currently undergoing RCOH at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries in Newport News, Virginia.

Lincoln is the fifth ship of the Nimitz-class to undergo an RCOH, a major life-cycle milestone. Once RCOH is complete, Lincoln will be one of the most modern and technologically advanced Nimitz-class aircraft carriers in the fleet and will continue to be a vital part of the nation's defense.

For more news from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), visit www.navy.mil/.