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USS Carl Vinson Utilizes Teamwork to Accomplish RCOH

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080114-03
Release Date: 1/14/2008 4:19:00 PM

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

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- USS Carl Vinson's (CVN 70) Air Department is assisting Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard employees with a renovation project in the aircraft carrier's hangar bay this January, an effort that will provide the Navy more than $500,000 in cost avoidance.

As part of the process, Sailors assigned to Carl Vinson's V-3 division are integrating with a team of Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard workers to accomplish the job. And for the aircraft carrier's massive overhaul project, teamwork is the essence in approaching each renovation task in the shipyard.

"Carl Vinson's V-3 division began renovating the ship's hangar bay overhead in April 2006, and the crew expects to complete the project in August," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class (AW/SW) Eric Mack.

To efficiently take on the challenge, Mack said that V-3 division assigned a split-shift crew of 10 Sailors to help keep the project going smoothly.

"Our Sailors are working very hard to get the job done right and in a timely manner," said Master Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (AW/SW) Richard Brock, the leading chief petty officer of Air Department. "Not only will their work improve the hangar bay aesthetically, but it will improve the overall material condition of our ship."

Sailors in V-3's overhead team are responsible for removing each of the numerous sound attenuating panels from their positions in the hangar bay's overhead. The panels, essential to reducing aircraft noise levels in all decks below the hangar bay, are then reconditioned, repaired, painted, and then reinstalled.

"The hangar bay is a vital part of our aircraft carrier," said Brock. "Our Sailors are working along side our shipyard partners to get this ship ready for its next mission, and they're doing it proudly."

Carl Vinson is currently undergoing its scheduled refueling complex overhaul (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 is being replenished and the ship's services and infrastructure are being upgraded to make her the most state-of-the-art aircraft carrier in the fleet, and prepare for another 25 years or more of service.

For more news from USS Carl Vinson, visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn70/.