Sailors assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) attended the cableway improvement class at the Virginia Advanced Shipbuilding Carrier Integration Center (VASCIC), in Newport News, Virginia, Jan. 30-Feb. 3.

The goal of the training is to teach Lincoln Sailors to locate and correct cable discrepancies throughout the ship.

"Proper cableway is fundamental to getting the Lincoln out of the yards," said Marty Everett, consulting field engineer and retired interior communications electrician. "If cable is not installed properly, it's going to alter deadlines. That's why these Sailors are here to gain this knowledge and take it with them to the Production Management (PM) 17 team."

This training and certification provides students with the safety and knowledge to inspect ship cableways, and identify and correct discrepancies. Discrepancies covered during the course included the removal of dead-end cables, repair of wire way discrepancies, and the correction of all fire zone and watertight discrepancies.

"My favorite part of the course was the equipment that was brought into the classroom," said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Marcus Brooks. "It helps to physically get my hands on what I'm going to be working on, so I'm glad that was a part of the curriculum."

The course provides more than 35 hours of lecture, video, hands-on lab work, and text-based assignments over a five-day period. A score of 70 percent or higher on the comprehensive exam is required for successful completion.

"The average cost for our civilian counterpart to attend this course is about $2,000, but Lincoln Sailors receive the training for free," said Machinist's Mate (Nuclear) 1st Class Daryl Church. "The information taught in class ultimately helps keep everyone and the ship safe."

Abraham Lincoln is in the final stages of a four-year, refueling complex overhaul and will be delivered back to the fleet early this year.

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