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NSWC PHD teams with FTSCPAC to support USS Cushing (DD 985)

NAVSEA News Wire

Release Date: 9/26/2003

By By Michelle Harris, NSWC Port Hueneme Division, Public Affairs Office

Port Hueneme, Ca. -- NSWC Port Hueneme Division (PHD) personnel recently provided distance support to USS Cushing (DD 985) by replacing a NATO Seasparrow Surface Missile System (NSSMS) Signal Data Converter (SDC) backplane assembly prior to the ship's annual missile exercise. Distance Support is proven to play a vital role in enabling the Fleet Response Plan and supports Navy's ability to surge and sustain ships while deployed at-home.

Fleet Technical Support Center, San Diego (FTSCPAC) personnel were onboard Cushing providing a system assessment, when they identified a problem with the backplane. As PHD and FTSCPAC personnel regularly team together to provide distance support to the fleet, PHD was copied on the Casualty Report received from Cushing requesting the needed part.

Since the SDC backplane is not stocked in the Naval Supply System due to its low failure rate, PHD personnel rapidly assessed the NSSMS supplies at the NSWC PHD Surface Warfare Engineering Facility. The backplane assembly was removed from inventory and shipped overnight to the ship's location in Yokusuka, Japan. Upon arrival, the part was installed utilizing distance support (email) from PHD and on-site assistance from FTSCPAC. As a result of these teaming efforts, the NSSMS onboard Cushing was corrected.

The PHD/FTSCPAC teaming effort involved numerous emails and phone calls to coordinate the search for the replacement backplane, as well as the expeditious shipment of the unit to the FTSCPAC Detachment, in Japan. "We (PHD) are frequently called on to provide such assistance and often as the last line of technical expertise when all else has failed. We usually try to team with the FTSCs when providing distance support, copy each other on e-mail assists to the Fleet, and thereby pool our intellectual resources, " stated George Graham, NSWC PHD Target Acquisition System (TAS)/NSSMS Project Office.