• Military Menu                       

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

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

WASP Lagging Team Keeping Ship Ahead of Schedule

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080206-13
Release Date: 2/6/2008 2:21:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Toni Burton, USS Wasp Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- USS Wasp (LHD 1) Sailors are saving the Navy money and helping the ship stay ahead of maintenance by fixing the ship's insulation (or lagging) discrepancies in preparation for the 2009 Inspection and Survey (INSURV).

"The Wasp lagging team started in early December with over 640 lagging jobs," said Aviation Machinist's Mate 1st Class (AW/SW) James Dowling, lagging team leader. "Since then, the team has completed 47 percent of their tasking. Wasp will enter dry dock for scheduled maintenance next month, however the lagging team will remain intact to assist contractors during that time."

The lagging team consists of three, five-person teams that are responsible for correcting ship-wide heating, sounding and electrical insulation.

The lagging team was the brainchild of Wasp's Repair Officer, Chief Warrant Officer Sam Walker.

"This is a way to get [necessary] lagging jobs completed [early in the scheduled maintenance process]," Walker said.

Dowling said he senses a strong sense of professionalism throughout the team. He said the lagging team is performing well above par, and is confident the team's great work will continue.

"The team is doing great with [getting the jobs completed]," Dowling said. "The guys work hard and [they] know that what they are doing is appreciated and benefits everyone."

Damage Controlman Fireman Justin Carrington, a group team leader who has had previous experience with lagging, uses his knowledge to train the rest of the team on how to correctly install lagging.

"I enjoy lagging because I love working with my hands. It's work that can be seen throughout the ship when it's finished," Carrington said. "Getting quality work done in a timely manner by helping minimize the lagging hits we can [fix] for INSURV, plus saving the Navy money from using outside contracting source, is what we are here for."

For more news from USS Wasp, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/lhd1/.