Navy coming to town

SEWARD, Alaska—The U.S. Navy John Paul Jones an Arleigh Burke class destroyer raises his flag after landing in Seward’s harbor on May 3, 2008. The John Paul Jones will be participating Northern Edge, a two week joint exercise to enhance the ability of the military to rapidly bring together joint forces in response to regional events.(U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Steffen)(RELEASED)

Northern Edge kicking off

SEWARD, Alaska—The U.S. Navy John Paul Jones’s crew pulls in the slack to dock Seward’s harbor on May 3, 2008. The John Paul Jones will be participating Northern Edge, a two week joint exercise allows U.S. forces to train for regional and world wide crisis.(U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Steffen)(RELEASED)

Learning the Lingo: Sailors and Airmen "Talk the Talk" at Northern Edge

Published May 13, 2008
By SSgt Eric Hamilton
Elmendorf Joint Information Bureau

Elmendorf AFB, AK -- For the sailors of the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC), being in Alaska isn't just another "fish out of water" story. Sure, there's a certain amount of transition needed to get from ship to shore. And it can take a moment to translate "gedunk" into "snack bar" and "head" into "bathroom." But these seven ordinancemen know their jobs well regardless of where they are.

Stationed in Fallon, Nevada, the NSAWC may be better known as "Top Gun," the school "where every flier goes through for training," according to Senior Master Chief James Sanchez. For the two weeks of Northern Edge, however, these ordinance sailors are here to support four U.S. Navy jets with inert weapons systems and training equipment. How do they fare navigating in Elmendorf's unfamiliar "waters?"

Aviation Ordinanceman 1 Nate J. Stuart said, "though there was no problem understanding what the 'BX' was, a lot of us don't know the Air Force rank structure very well," causing some confusion during the initial meet-and-greet.

And perhaps some of the common Navy lingo might confuse airmen as well. Who would know that sailors consider ALL land "the beach?" Or that scuttlebutt might not just be what you hear through the grapevine, but where you go to get a drink of water? And that "gedunk" you just thought you learned above? It can also mean "horseplay," depending on the context, Stuart said.

Other Navy lingo that might sound familiar (but isn't)? Try "flat top." It might mean a military haircut to some, but to these sailors, it's an aircraft carrier. Regardless, participation in Northern Edge only speaks one language: excellence.