2/5/2012
Sorry...I haven't updated this information for some time. As of the end of January 2012, Josh again re-enlisted for another six years. With that action, he will be allowed to remain stationed at NAS Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, WA for an additional three years of the six. At the end of this period, he will have to move, once more, but only on the west coast. All is well with the family. Again, will try to keep this tab updated.
After six-years in Norfolk, VA., serving with the USS WASP (LHD 1), we are proud to announce that Josh has re-enlisted for an additional two years. With this re-enlistment, he will be moving to NAS Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, WA in 2010.
Note: as of 9-June-2011, Josh received his newer rank; he is now a Petty Officer Second Class; allowing him to will remain at this base until 2013 (at the most). Family is doing well and I had a chance to fly up and visit with them on June 8th through the 12th ... to see him get his stripe.
For those who don't know where that is -- don't feel bad; I didn't know either and had to looked it up. I will give you a hint...north of Seattle, WA on an island in the Sounds!
Thank you for praying for Josh and family as he serves to our country. As for Ruth and I, we believe this sign speaks best (it is hanging on Whidbey Island by another "Proud Mom...her Son is also serving our country."
| NORFOLK (Dec. 22, 2009) Line handlers stand by as the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) returns to Naval Station. Wasp completed a three-month deployment supporting Southern Partnership Station-Amphib in the Southern Command area of responsibility with Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 40 and embarked Security Cooperation Marine Air-Ground Task Force. |
Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS) insignia is a military badge of the United States Navy, which was created in March 1980. The insignia recognizes those members of the Navy's Enlisted Force who have acquired the specific professional skills, knowledge, and military experience that result in qualification for service in the aviation activities of the Navy. This includes most personnel who are trained flight deck personnel onboard aircraft carriers, or maintenance personnel at an Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Detachment or Department or Aircraft Squadron.
Joshua David Hensman was just awarded this EAWS Insignia
USS WASP (LHD-1) is the lead ship of an all-new class of multipurpose amphibious assault ships built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding division of Litton in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The Navy-Marine Corps team's newest amphibious warship has as its primary mission the support of a Marine Landing Force. USS WASP and her sister ships are the first specifically designed to accommodate new Landing Craft, Air Cushion for fast troop movement over the beach and Harrier II (AV-8B) Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing jets which provide close-in air support for the assault force. LHD-1, which is 844 feet long with a beam of 106 feet, also accommodates the full range of Navy and Marine Corps helicopters, conventional landing craft, and amphibious vehicles.
To carry out its primary mission, USS WASP has an assault support system that synchronizes the simultaneous horizontal and vertical flow of troops, cargo and vehicles throughout the ship. Two aircraft elevators service the hangar bay and flight deck. Six cargo elevators, each 12 by 25 feet, are used to transport material and supplies from the 100,000 cubic foot cargo holds throughout the ship to staging areas on the flight deck, hangar bay and vehicle storage area. Cargo is transferred to waiting landing craft docked within the ship's 13,000 square foot, 266 foot long, well deck. Helicopters in the hangar bay or on the flight deck are cargo-loaded by forklift.
LHD-1 has medical and dental facilities capable of providing intensive medical assistance to 600 casualties, whether combat incurred or brought aboard ship during humanitarian missions. The corpsmen also provide routine medical/dental care to the crew and embarked personnel. Major medical facilities include four main and two emergency operating rooms, four dental operating rooms, x-ray rooms, a blood bank, laboratories, and patient wards. In addition, three battle dressing stations are located throughout the ship, as well as a casualty collecting area at the flight deck level. Medical elevators rapidly transfer casualties from the flight deck and hangar bay to the medical facilities.
USS WASP's two steam propulsion plants--the largest currently in operation in the U.S. Navy--generate a total of 400 tons of steam per hour. The propulsion system develops 70,000 shaft horsepower, powering the ship to speeds in excess of 22 knots. USS Wasp was built using more than 21,000 tons of steel, 400 tons of aluminum, 400 miles of electrical/electronic cables, 80 miles of piping and tubing of various types and sizes, and 10 miles of ventilation ducting. WASP weighed more than 27,000 tons when moved onto the Ingalls floating dry-dock on July 30, 1987 for launch on August 4, 1987, becoming the largest man-made object rolled across land.
BE STILL AND KNOW I AM GOD
PSALM 46:10
(Picture taken from the USS WASP)
