Determined Crew Returns USS Kearsarge to Sea, Despite Stormy Weather
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS091124-10
Release Date: 11/24/2009 3:36:00 PM
By Seaman Indra Bosko, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- Amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) left Norfolk Navy Shipyard on schedule Nov. 16 to perform a series of sea trials although there was a potential that extreme weather conditions would prevent a timely return to her homeport of Naval Station Norfolk.
Just four days prior to the scheduled departure as the crew prepared for a "fast cruise," a November Nor'easter storm flooded much of the Tidewater area, but thanks to the drive and determination of Kearsarge Sailors and their leadership, the ship maintained its readiness.
"The Sailors of USS Kearsarge know what it means to be the best, and they persevered through the rough weather and long hours to make sure this great ship returned to service for the fleet on time," said Kearsarge Commanding Officer, Capt. Walter Towns. "It was a successful and demanding period in the yards, but the ship and the crew are better for it. The shipyard employees did a great job in partnering with our Sailors to get us back to sea, and now the rest is up to us."
Kearsarge entered NNSY in January for a Dry Dock Planned Maintenance Availability (DPMA) that pulled the ship out of the water for the first time since its commissioning 16 years ago. The $43 million maintenance period included a new fuel/oil compensation system, a new turbine, refurbishment of the flight deck and ship's laundry facilities, repainting of the hull, a new GIG-E computer system and an upgrade to a SPN-35 radar system. The upgrades and maintenance affected every department and every Sailor and Towns commended the crew for their flexibility and willingness to work long hours under tough conditions.
"Congratulations to each and every one of you," Towns said as he addressed the crew once the ship was into open ocean. "It was a total team effort and we have a lot to be proud of as the first ship in a long time to enter and leave the shipyards on schedule. We had a lot of challenges and we met them all head-on."
One of the greatest challenges faced was the transfer of 400 crew members during the yard period that resulted in a loss of invaluable experience.
"The biggest thing for the new people is situational awareness because once we get underway they're going to be dealing with less sleep and longer working hours," said Chief Boatswain's Mate Jason Knapp, who spent the last few days before the underway running Kearsarge's Deck Department Sailors through a variety of checklists that included installing an adequate number of life rafts, conducting anchor tests, updating manuals and participating in daily emergency drills.
"The new Sailors are going to learn a lot in a short period of time because our schedule demands we get them up to speed now," Knapp said. "They may never be challenged to do so much in so little time again and that can only make them better Sailors, no matter how long they stay in the Navy. I'm proud of the way they stepped up and listened to instruction and understood how serious every step of getting underway is to safely returning the ship to Norfolk. I have no doubt the sea trials will be a success."
Even with a successful return to the fleet, Towns reminded his Sailors that there is still a great deal to accomplish in preparation for next year's deployment.
"We still have a lot to do with testing and certification and we need to make sure we do it safely," Towns said. "Getting out of the shipyards was our first step to bringing Kearsarge back into fighting form, and as long as we remember the basic things that make this ship and her crew the best in the Atlantic Fleet, I have no doubt we can accomplish that goal."
For more news from USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd3/.
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