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Stout Repair Division Keeps Ship Self-Sufficient During 'Partnership of the Americas'

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060410-07
Release Date: 4/10/2006 10:35:00 PM

By Photographer’s Mate Airman Tristan Miller, USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs

USS STOUT, At Sea (NNS) -- As USS Stout (DDG 55) participates in “Partnership of the Americas” from April to later this spring, crew members are keeping the ship self-sufficient by repairing any problems they may encounter.

Stout left Naval Station Norfolk April 4 to join the George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWCSG) during “Partnership of the Americas,” a maritime training and readiness deployment of U.S. Naval forces with countries from the Caribbean and Latin America, in support of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) objectives for enhanced maritime security.

“The Repair Division is responsible for hull repairs, machinery repairs, firefighting training and actual firefighting and welding aboard the ship,” said Damage Controlman 1st Class Scott Johnson, leading petty officer of the Repair Division. “We also teach firefighting tactics to everyone on board the ship.”

By fixing or making replacement parts, the repair division allows the ship to continue with its mission without waiting on outside platforms to send shipments, saving both time and money in the process. Once a working part is achieved, it can be properly replaced by trained members of the crew.

“From the time a new damage controlman (DC) comes aboard the ship, countless hours are spent training them to get them up to speed with the knowledge of a second class [petty officer] or even myself,” Johnson said. “I want my guys from fireman to second class knowledgeable enough to be able to teach me and the commanding officer without hesitation.”

The division consists of more ratings than just damage controlmen. There are machinery repairmen and hull technicians (HT), whose ratings are merging. Aboard Stout, they are preparing for the union by conducting cross-training.

“The great thing about this shop is we cross-train. We have DCs on the lathe, HTs doing maintenance checks on damage control gear...” said Johnson. “The camaraderie is just outstanding.”

Cross-training also helps the repair division prepare for any type of incident the ship may encounter, and trains Sailors to resolve any problem in the most efficient way possible.

“From my time and experience in the Navy, I have some of the best welders in the fleet that I have seen since I joined,” Johnson said. “We all match, we’ve all taught each other something in this shop, and that’s what’s so great about it.”

Stout and GWCSG are operating in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility to strengthen ties through operations and exercises with Caribbean and Latin American partner nations.