Sailors aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) participated in the Damage Control (DC) Olympics – a practical training competition between the ship’s 10 repair lockers, August 28.

Events ranging from dewatering and shoring, to phone talking and hose-handling, measured Sailors’ DC knowledge as they competed against one another to complete each evolution in the shortest amount of time.

“The DC Olympics gives us a valuable opportunity for training and we see the value in this with Sailors performing the tasks and work they would do during an actual damage control scenario,” said Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class David Walrath.

While Sailors said they were excited about their chance to compete in the events, the day wasn’t only about fun. It showed each repair locker where they needed to improve and what their strengths are.

“I felt the DC Olympics was a great way to show the crew what could happen in an emergency situation,” said Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Danielle Catena. “It really puts everything into perspective when you see water rushing out of a pipe and you have to plug and patch it.”

Every locker aboard the ship has a mixture of Sailors from various rates who may not necessarily specialize in damage control. However, it is still necessary for these Sailors to possess the ability to combat any and all casualties a naval vessel may face.

“I got a better understanding of what happens in the locker during an emergency situation,” said Catena. “I have never done pipe patching or dewatering before, and I got to see how that works and how much different it is during a simulated training environment and how it works during a live drill.”

Along with bragging rights, the winning repair locker (7F) will receive a trophy they will display in their locker until someone is able to take it from them at the next DC Olympics.

“The event is a great opportunity when it comes to a team building activity,” said Walrath. “It gives Sailors a sense of community by allowing them to cheer on their repair locker teammates during the events and take pride in what their repair locker can do.”

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.

For more news from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), visit www.navy.mil/.