• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Kennedy Lights-Off Boiler As Surge Date Nears

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS040608-12

Release Date: 6/8/2004 2:06:00 PM

By Journalist 3rd Class Timothy Cox, USS John F. Kennedy Public Affairs

USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (NNS) -- USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) took another step in the global war on terrorism as engineers brought the first of eight boilers back on line June 2.

Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Robert Hale set the fires ablaze in the boilers, bringing it to life for the first time in more than a month.

"Being the first plant to light off is paramount, so we can send steam to the other plants," said Hale, a native of Rockwall, Texas. "Once all the plants are lit-off and steam tested, we'll be ready to go."

Kennedy, based out of Naval Station Mayport, Fla., has a total of four main machinery rooms, each one housing two tremendous workhorse boilers. Once up and running, the boilers provide steam that in turn power nearly all major systems on board, including the main engines.

For Machinest Mate 1st Class Nathaniel Smith of the propulsion division, moving from cold iron to steam power brings the thought of an extended surge to do the nation's bidding that much closer to reality.

"It's a very exciting time," said Smith, who joined the Navy 19 years ago and has experienced his share of pre-deployment light-offs. "All the work and preparation we've put in over the last year, it's definitely time to go."