• Military Menu                       

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

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Enterprise Tiger Teams Start with a Roar

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS040916-09
Release Date: 9/16/2004 6:59:00 PM

By Journalist 3rd Class Jason Thompson, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- USS Enterprise (CVN 65) began its Extended Selected Restricted Availability (ESRA) period at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard Sept. 10, after crew members formed "tiger teams."

The tiger teams were formed as part of the ship's efforts to maximize the use of personnel and increase cost effectiveness during the yard period.

"A tiger team is basically a special projects team set up to accomplish various jobs," said Lt. James Feeley, habitation scheduling officer during the ESRA. "We have teams for painting, lagging, non-tight doors, racks and lockers, heads, and a decking team which basically does the tiling for the spaces."

According to Feeley, using Enterprise personnel to complete the smaller tasks is a fiscally smart move for both the carrier and the Navy.

"We want to utilize the ship's force," said Feeley. "We've got the ability. We've got the members to do the jobs. We're looking at this as a simple materials expenditure issue. It's more of a cost savings for the Navy."

A quick walk across the deckplates reveals plenty of work already under way, with more to follow.

"Preparation work and tear-outs have been ongoing since we got into the shipyard," said Feeley. "The teams and individual assignments were done before we came back from the pre-planning. We've met with the teams and identified the beginning jobs."

"Right now, we're gathering all the tools we'll need for the jobs," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class (AW) Early Mosley, door rehabilitation tiger team leading petty officer. "We're going to use wrenches, drills, rubber mallets and things like that. Once we have all the tools together, we'll be able to get the job rolling."

This will be the first experience for many members of the tiger teams, not only in a shipyard environment, but also doing tiling or lagging work. To prepare the Sailors for their new responsibilities, each team received training and guidance on their job.

Because the workload for a handful of teams is significant, it has become the responsibility of each workcenter to prepare each job for the tiger teams. Tiger team Sailors are directly responsible for the overall quality of their work, and in the long run, for the material condition of their ship.

"Enterprise Sailors are able to rehab their own workspaces and living areas," said Feeley. "In terms of a positive outlook, our Sailors will take pride in ownership."

"This experience makes better Sailors," added Mosley. "It gives them a bigger and better view of the ship as a whole and not just their parent divisions."