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Carl Vinson Approaches CCMA Milestone

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080910-10
Release Date: 9/10/2008 1:45:00 PM

By Aviation Ordnanceman Seaman Brandon Monette, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) are making preparations this September to accomplish the final phases of refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in Newport News.

With move-aboard operations in full swing and space grooming projects rapidly progressing, Sailors are now preparing for the next major shipyard milestone – Completion of Crew Move Aboard (CCMA).

For many Carl Vinson Sailors, making final preparations to complete some of the carrier's most challenging milestones has instilled a renewed sense of pride and ownership in the work the crew has put forward throughout RCOH.

"We've been working aft on the lower decks to complete refurbishment on the lower half of the ship," said Seaman (SW) Genesis Reyes. "Levels 03 through the third deck have made great progress. Now we are concentrating on the lower levels to keep pushing through to CCMA and the end of RCOH."

With so many deadlines to meet, departments shipwide are working around-the-clock to ensure the ship remains on schedule.

Carl Vinson Sailors are taking up tasks such as restoring permanent electrical power into the remaining spaces, bringing the entire health services team and equipment back on board, and refurbishing the flight deck and hangar bays.

"Now that a good majority of the spaces on board are occupied, our biggest task will be to drop power in all shipboard spaces," said Cmdr. John Markowicz, chief engineer. "With the ship still in its RCOH state, other spaces are still being renovated and some of the upcoming tasks we have to overcome may prove to be a challenge. I'm confident in the work of our Sailors and the engineering team to meet the CCMA milestone."

With electrical power being restored in shipboard spaces such as the aircraft carrier's medical complex, a task force of Sailors is now working to bring health services back aboard Carl Vinson.

"Once we have full power in all medical spaces on board and preventive medicine has inspected everything, we can begin moving supplies and equipment on board," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SW/AW) Anita Dalton. "This will be a daunting task, because the medical department is so complex. Not only will be moving equipment on board, but we are responsible for thousands medical records that we need to strategically move on the ship in an organized manner."

During the RCOH period, all hangar bays and the flight deck were used as work spaces by shipyard task teams, housing trailers and industrial equipment. Carl Vinson's Air department is now clearing these areas for painting and installation of new non-skid decking.

"When we entered the shipyard, things had to be shifted and displaced in order for us to begin the RCOH evolution, and the ship's hangar bays and flight deck took the brute force of that transition by housing work trailers and equipment," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate Handling Chief (AW/SW) Clinton Akins, of Air department. "We plan on fully revitalizing these spaces and getting them back to a state where they will be ready for use in a fully-operational status."

According to Lt. Cmdr. Stephen Hazzard, a director for the ship's RCOH project teams, the end of the shipyard period is coming quickly.

"We have a goal to meet," said Hazzard. "Team Carl Vinson has shown its staying power throughout RCOH, and I believe the entire crew is focused and ready to reach our ultimate goal of getting the 'Gold Eagle' out to sea efficiently and in better operational condition than ever before."

Carl Vinson is undergoing its 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 USS Carl Vinson, visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn70/.