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AIMD Starts SCOOP Process On Board USS Carl Vinson

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080214-09
Release Date: 2/14/2008 12:42:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nina Hughes, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- Crew members assigned to USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) began moving shipboard equipment back on board, Feb. 4, marking another milestone in the aircraft carrier's shipboard coordinated on-load and outfitting plan (SCOOP) at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard in Newport News.

The SCOOP process involves reloading most of the shipboard equipment removed when the ship began its scheduled 40-month refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) in 2005, and is one of the largest evolutions the crew will perform before Carl Vinson Sailors move back aboard ship in late 2008.

Air intermediate maintenance department Sailors led the initial effort, bringing various shipboard items such as hose fittings and other necessities back into the department's spaces.

"All the equipment that's being brought on board is basically new," said Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Benjamin Davila. "If our equipment that was used underway is no good to us now, we'll have new equipment and offer the rest to other departments."

Five tri-walls and one pallet made their way back on board, which took a total of four hours to unload. All equipment returned to the ship during this initial evolution was delivered to shipboard spaces that were prepared in advance to take on equipment. This effort required careful planning by crew members that own these areas of the ship.

"My Sailors are very flexible, taking in stride everything and anything their tasked to do," said Chief Aviation Electronic Technician (AW/SW) Michael Cantrell.

Cantrell said a well-planned SCOOP evolution is essential to bringing Carl Vinson back to full operational status, and that every Sailor has a role in accomplishing this important mission.

"Most of the equipment that was brought off the ship in 2005 must be returned, which will enable our ship to be re-outfitted to go to sea once again," said Cantrell. "This is the start of a big evolution for our crew, and we're working to ensure it gets done right."

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 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 Carl Vinson, visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn70/.