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Gold Eagle Completes Arresting Gear Engine Refurbishment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS071113-01
Release Date: 11/13/2007 9:59:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Candice Villarreal, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), the "Gold Eagle," reinstalled its fourth and final arresting gear engine, Oct. 31, at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard in Newport News.

Completion of the arresting gear reinstallation marked an important milestone during the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier's refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) process.

"The return and reinstallation of arresting gear engine four indicates the conclusion of the refurbishment of all four main engines on the ship," said Lt. Cmdr. Shawn Fitzpatrick, Carl Vinson's mini boss.

The Gold Eagle's fourth engine was completely overhauled and refurbished at a facility in New Jersey before it was transported back to the ship. It was then lifted via crane by employees from Northrop Grumman, placed into a pre-cut fitting on the flight deck, and realigned for installation.

But for project team members involved in Carl Vinson's overhaul, the arrival and installation of the ship's arresting gear engines is the first step in a detailed process of bringing the ship's arresting gear back on line and operational. Although much work lies ahead, members of Team Carl Vinson are happy with the progress that's being made.

"The Arresting Gear Engine is the heart of the Arresting Gear system," said Dave Riddle, a project-team leader from Northrop Grumman. "With the arrival of the last arresting gear engine, we can now begin some very important work which could not be performed until these engines were installed and aligned. The arrival of Carl Vinson's arresting gear engines begins the journey of bringing the arresting gear system back to life."

The arresting gear engine is scheduled to undergo preventive maintenance checks and other quality assurance processes before it is coupled with its purchase cable next fall.

"We're done putting in the engine, so it's just an accountability process now," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class (AW) Jakob Blackman, of Carl Vinson's Air Department. "We're going to make sure everything's working properly and safely, just like we would with any other piece of equipment on our ship."

The maintenance and quality assurance process is expected to be completed in the next three to six months.

"The arresting gear engines will help recover aircraft on the ship for the next 25 years," said Fitzpatrick. "This installation brings Team Carl Vinson one step closer to completing our RCOH work with the aircraft launch and recovery package aboard Carl Vinson."

Carl Vinson is currently undergoing its scheduled RCOH at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard. The RCOH is an extensive yard period that all Nimitz-class aircraft carriers go through near the mid-point of their 50-year life cycle.

During RCOH, Carl Vinson's nuclear fuel will be replenished and the ship's services and infrastructure will be upgraded to make it the most state-of-the-art aircraft carrier in the fleet and prepare it for another 25 years or more of service.