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SUPSHIP San Diego completes Integrated Trials for USNS Soderman (T-AKR 317)

NAVSEA Observer

Release Date: 10/23/2002

By The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, San Diego

SUPSHIP San Diego delivers final of eight MSC roll-on/roll-off ships. CDR Jay Renken (SSSD)(left to right), CAPT Pat Sudol (PMS325), LT Art Koral (SSSD), CAPT Kevin Gannon (SSSD), CDR Neil Bourassa (INSURV) return to port in San Diego following successful Integrated Trials of USNS Soderman (T-AKR 317).

The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, USN, San Diego (SUPSHIP San Diego), and National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO), in support of PMS 325, successfully completed Integrated Trials (IT) on the Strategic Sealift ship USNS Soderman (T-AKR 317) during the week of 26 August 2002. Integrated trials combine the Builders Trials, Acceptance Trials observed by INSURV, and regulatory inspections by United States Coast Guard (USCG) and American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) into one single trial event shortening the cycle time and lowering costs of for delivery of the ship.

This method of consolidating verification evolutions has been proven a success on previous LMSRs that have been delivered by NASSCO, contributing to deliveries under target cost and ahead of contract schedule - by a combined total of 110 weeks. NASSCO's and SUPSHIP San Diego's success on this project can in large part be attributed to their continually striving for process improvement. The Joint Quality Management Board (JQMB), consisting of key personnel from SUPSHIP, MSC, and NASSCO, is one method used to improve all aspects of their joint processes. The JQMB facilitates a team effort focused on eliminating barriers to process improvement. USNS Soderman is scheduled for delivery on 17 September 2002, five weeks ahead of contract requirements.

The ship is named to honor Pfc. William A. Soderman, USA (1912-1980), a native of West Haven, Connecticut. Pfc. Soderman was assigned to Company K, 9th Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division during World War II. On Dec. 17, 1944, Pfc. Soderman defended a key road junction near Rocherath, Belgium. Under severe artillery barrage, mortar and machine gun fire, he remained at his post and successfully held off German counter offenses by disabling three enemy tanks with a bazooka at point blank range before being wounded. Distinguishing himself by conspicuous gallantry and unfaltering courage against overwhelming odds, above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy, President Harry S Truman presented Pfc. Soderman the Medal of Honor during a ceremony at the White House on Oct. 12, 1945.

NASSCO, a division of General Dynamics, was awarded a contract for the design and construction of eight LMSRs. Soderman, the eighth and final ship of the class, is a non-combatant vessel that will be crewed by civilian mariners and operated by the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC), Washington, DC. The ship that will carry U.S. Army equipment, vehicles and supplies, and be strategically pre-positioned near areas of potential conflict around the world. Its roll-on/roll-off design makes it ideal for transporting tanks and other wheeled and tracked military vehicles as well as helicopters. Each ship has approximately 390,000 square feet of cargo carrying space. Soderman is 950 feet in length, has a beam of 105.8 feet and displaces approximately 62,000 long tons, when fully loaded. Her gas turbine-power will sustain speeds up to 24 knots.

SUPSHIP San Diego delivers final of eight MSC roll-on/roll-off ships. CDR Jay Renken (SSSD)(left to right), CAPT Pat Sudol (PMS325), LT Art Koral (SSSD), CAPT Kevin Gannon (SSSD), CDR Neil Bourassa (INSURV) return to port in San Diego following successful Integrated Trials of USNS Soderman (T-AKR 317).