Lincoln's Engineering Team Keeps Carrier in the Fight
NAVSEA News
By Chief Journalist David Nagle, Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs
ABOARD USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN -- USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) was beginning its voyage home in December 2002 to Everett, Wash., following a routine six-month deployment in the Arabian Gulf supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. When it returned, it would head to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for post-deployment maintenance and repairs. Instead, the aircraft carrier received orders to turn around and return to the Gulf, as part of a buildup of U.S. forces to support possible operations in the region. Facing an indefinitely extended deployment meant Lincoln's Engineering team would reprioritize its engineering concerns and adjust its maintenance routine to ensure the carrier could stay on station as long as necessary.
"Our top concerns were to maintain the equipment at the highest state of operational readiness, continue our self-sustainability and ensure our damage control readiness remained high," said Cmdr. Frank Simei, Lincoln's Chief Engineer. "It is quite different to face three or more months of flight operations compared to heading back to homeport and having a ten-and-a-half month availability after our return."
A longer deployment also meant that maintaining critical systems such as catapult steam, air conditioning, aircraft elevators and damage control systems became even more important to ensure Lincoln could continue its mission. Not to mention maintaining everyday quality of life service systems including galley equipment, laundry services, heads and showers.
"As word of our extended deployment was announced over the 1MC, the laundry and galley work center quickly adapted to overcome the challenges ahead, and reevaluated maintenance actions required to sustain the equipment's operational reliability," said Machinist's Mate 1st Class (SW) Dewayne Andrews, a work center supervisor.
"The extended deployment brought new challenges, especially in supporting hotel services," explained MMCM(SW) Jack Lucas, Lincoln's Engineering Leading Chief Petty Officer. "Our Sailors quickly refocused on our task ahead and remain committed to provide a high standard of quality of service to the crew."
One of those challenges was ensuring Lincoln had enough spare parts aboard, since only enough to support a six-month deployment had been loaded
"After getting word of the extension, shop supervisors quickly identified and expedited the procurement of parts we'd need ready to correct the numerous daily trouble calls throughout the extended deployment," Lucas said.
The extension also brought about the need to keep Sailors focused on safety and getting the job done right the first time.
"There was a great initiative in the work centers to abolish complacency and rejuvenate a spirit of first time quality and safety," explained Lt.j.g. Jay Henson, Repair Officer. "We held safety standdowns to heighten awareness and conducted inspections throughout the workcenters to ensure that all precautions were still being upheld."
Simei and his staff used their senior leadership and training teams to not only conduct casualty control drills but to also monitor routine evolutions such as starting and securing equipment. This evolution training ensures both better qualified watchstanders and proper operation of equipment.
"It also gets the whole chain of command involved with their equipment and their people, forming the sense of ownership that benefits us the most," said Simei.
Lincoln also emphasized integrated maintenance with other departments, particularly the Reactor and Air Departments. The engineering team coordinates efforts with the other departments to maximize repairs during times when the equipment is off-line. Engineering maintenance personnel also attend weekly meetings with other departments' maintenance personnel to ensure they are communicating and coordinating efforts. This has worked well with the engineers supporting the Supply Department in maintaining galley and laundry equipment.
"This allows us to properly prioritize our work and, more importantly, also allows the other departments to better understand and fully utilize the repair capabilities within our department," said Simei.
To further support maintenance, Lincoln started a cross-departmental 3M (Maintenance and Material Management) audit and assessment program where 3M assistants are trained to audit their counterparts' programs. Additionally, Engineering developed an engineering condition assessment program designed to identify material discrepancies found during zone inspection-type walkthroughs and observation of the equipment during operation. Simei said this was another way to get senior leadership into the spaces and involved with their equipment.
Lincoln is also a Battle Force Intermediate Maintenance Activity, which uses the material and personnel assets throughout the battle force to maintain operational readiness while deployed. Lincoln's Engineering and Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Departments partnered to complete repairs throughout the battle group.
"We have quite an extensive maintenance capability that allows us to be very self-sustaining," said Simei.
An important part of maintaining that self-sustainability is using Distance Support. Distance Support leverages state-of-the-art information technology connectivity to collaboratively link ships at sea with technical centers ashore. Lincoln's Engineering Department used Distance Support on several occasions while deployed.
"We took advantage of the technical talents of several different commands including Naval Sea Systems Command, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and the Fleet Technical Support Centers in the Pacific and Atlantic," Simei said. "Across the board, everyone is eager to assist the Fleet and strong technical support is definitely available."
Lincoln used Distance Support to overhaul and assemble two air conditioning compressor units, develop procedures for conducting major weld repairs to the catapult steam system piping and to identify incinerator exhaust and cooling spray modifications.
Lincoln also used Distance Support in assisting its rewind shop in identifying the proper winding configuration for an air conditioning compressor motor for USS Reuben James (FFG 57). The tech assist not only provided the rewind shop electricians with the information they needed to repair the motor, but also provided an opportunity for the distance support tech representative at the other end to talk to his son, surprisingly serving aboard Lincoln.
Despite the extended deployment, the Engineering crew is focused and ready to do whatever is necessary to keep Lincoln operationally sharp at all times.
"The extension is, of course, hard because of the time away from families, but our spirits remain high and everyone has a positive attitude," said Electrician's Mate 3rd Class Charles Steckman, a Lighting Shop technician. "We're taking advantage of this time to begin repairs of some Ship's Force Work Package items originally scheduled for our availability, in case the original dates are condensed due to the extended deployment."
"The Officers, Chief Petty Officers and Sailors of Engineering are incredible," Simei added. "They know the ship relies on their talents for many services and support and that their equipment is vital to the ship's mission. They are true professionals and their dedication is unmatched. It is a privilege to serve with them."
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