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Norfolk Naval Shipyard Scores Another Success with Theodore Roosevelt Availability

NAVSEA News Wire

Release Date: 11/08/2002

By Lt. Cmdr. Skip Huck, Norfolk Naval Shipyard USS Theodore Roosevelt

NORFOLK, Va. -- Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) continued its string of aircraft carrier successes by completing the latest Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) with USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), which completed two days early on November 4, 2002 and within budget. This was a challenging PIA, utilizing more than 1,200 employees at its peak, with ship's force performing an enormous amount of work within a six-month period. While NNSY accomplished more than 186,000 mandays of work, the complete package, including Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair (SUPSHIP) Portsmouth's contract package, various alteration installation teams (AIT's), and ship's force portion of work totaled more than 360,000 mandays of effort on Theodore Roosevelt.

"This availability was a challenging one and its success is due to the combined efforts of the entire shipyard," said Project Superintendent Mark Peters. "The contributions of the parent shops, support codes and other project teams played a major part in accomplishing this large manday work package."

"The flexibility of the yard was tested during this PIA," added Capt. Richard O'Hanlon, Theodore Roosevelt's commanding officer. "Growth work caused an increase in the size of the PIA package by roughly 25 percent to make this availability larger than any other six-month PIA in memory."

Theodore Roosevelt entered the shipyard in May, following a historic six-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom that included 159 consecutive days underway, the longest period between port calls. In addition to extensive repairs and maintenance, the ship would receive several large modernization packages, including installation of AC plant #10, mid-ship chill water modifications, completely rebuilding the ship's incinerator, renovating the ship's armory, and catapult upgrades. The plant and combat systems suite contained several extensive improvements as well.

Much of the availability's success is attributed to the Carrier Team One concept, a Naval Sea Systems Command-led initiative that brings together all the stakeholders, from both the Navy and private industry, involved in carrier availabilities to focus on improving key planning and execution processes and ultimately perform more maintenance and modernization for the dollar.

"Yard planning processes have improved over the years," said O'Hanlon. "In years past this might have resulted in numerous cost overruns and lengthy schedule delays. There were several critical path items, multiple milestones and key events, yet the yard managers completed the work by the end of the Chief of Naval Operations availability period."

Also contributing to the success of the Theodore Roosevelt project team were several initiatives created to improve communications between ship's force and the project team. The project team worked from stackable trailers aboard ship in the hangar bay with representatives from Naval Air Forces Atlantic, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, and SUPSHIP Portsmouth.

"We got more work done this time because we had all the key people sitting together in the same work area," said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Pasquarette, Theodore Roosevelt maintenance manager. "If we needed something from another group, they were right there to help out."

Another initiative was installing a temporary stair system on aircraft elevator number four that led to the flight deck, making it easier and more efficient for all to reach the flight deck. This allowed more trailers on the ship, making it easier for the mechanics to get their tools. It also helped the teams working on the catapults to get to their work sites as well.

"Ultimately, it has been the hard work and long hours of the Project's skilled mechanics and supervisors that has enabled this availability to complete on time, on budget, and with quality workmanship," said Peters.

This was the second PIA accomplished by NNSY with the Roosevelt, and is still the beginning of a long time relationship between both the carrier and the shipyard. As the Nimitz class carrier is designed to last more than 50 years, Roosevelt will be working hand in hand with the shipyard for decades to come. The hard work from every corner of NNSY helped to support this availability, and allowed this positive relationship to flourish.

O'Hanlon also noted the close relationship between his ship and shipyard personnel. "NNSY and TR have developed a wonderful symbiotic relationship," he said. "My crew learned much about maintenance and testing as a result of working closely with shipyard employees. We look forward to continuing the relationship as we repair and upgrade items in the future."