ABOARD USS NIMITZ, At Sea (NNS) -- Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Andrea Lewis stands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier, USS Nimitz (CVN 68). In the heat of the Arabian Gulf, she watches everything around her, because it is her job to ensure all proper safety measures are adhered to. All eyes are on her, as the jet taxies along the flight deck.

Something could go wrong at any minute, and all eyes watch her for any indication that something has. When all is in order, she gives the shooter the thumbs up and hustles out of the way. Jet engines roar and rip into action. The catapults slam, as the jet rockets from the flight deck.

This has become a typical part of the job for Lewis, who recently became the first woman topside petty officer (PO) aboard Nimitz. This was her pay off after a year of hard work and dedication.

According to Lewis, the topside PO has to be qualified on every station on the flight deck, including jet blast deflector safety (JBD) (ensures no foreign object damage on or around the JBD), hold back (inspects the hold back bar that holds aircraft in place), bow safety (ensures the foul line is clear), center deck operator (determines the amount of steam needed to launch aircraft) and weight board operator (weighs the aircraft on deck).

“Getting qualified for topside PO was one of my main goals when I first got to the ship, because I knew no other woman (aboard Nimitz) had that qualification,” said Lewis. “It means a lot to me.”

According to Lewis, her commitment and dedication earned her the position she now holds. “It was hard. It took me a long time to do it,” said Lewis. “You have to be strong, especially in your mind. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it.”

Lewis also pointed out that a topside PO has to know what is happening on deck at all times. Now that Lewis has earned the qualification, she has learned that safety and attention to detail make all the difference in maintaining the safety of the entire flight deck crew, so the task is no small responsibility.

“You have to pay attention to every little thing that you do,” said Lewis. “The one minute you don’t pay attention, something goes wrong. I have to make sure everybody up there is doing his or her job right. I’m basically responsible for everything that goes on up there.”

“She’s been a good worker for us,” said Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (AW) Quentin King, bow catapults chief petty officer. “She has some good leadership skills.”

Lewis said she enjoys the responsibility that her job brings to her, and she feels it gives her an opportunity to shine.

“She’s one of the best topside POs that we’ve got,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class (AW/SW) Mark Sowell, V-2 bow catapults leading petty officer. “She is a really hard worker and a self starter. She’s dedicated to the job.”

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is currently conducting operations in the Arabian Gulf.