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Navy Establishes New Surface Ship Maintenance Activity

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS101109-11
11/9/2010

From Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communication Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- Navy leadership officially established the Surface Maintenance Engineering Planning Program (SURFMEPP) during a ceremony Nov. 8 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

SURFMEPP is a Naval Sea Systems Command activity responsible for managing the long-term maintenance requirements for ships in the surface fleet.

Initiated in May 2009 as a NAVSEA field activity called the Surface Ship Lifecycle Management (SSLCM) Activity, the ceremony officially established SURFMEPP as a shore command, responsible for providing a comprehensive assessment and sustainment infrastructure for surface ships.

Capt. Timothy Corrigan, who previously served as director of SSLCM, will now serve as the SURFMEPP commanding officer.

"We, as the surface maintenance community, face the challenge of changing the culture and means of identifying, managing, resourcing and planning the execution of the necessary technical requirements that will enable each ship to reach its expected service life" said Corrigan. "We, as a nation, have an expectation that the ships and weapons' systems we purchase with hard-earned tax dollars will provide the greatest value and service for the entire time for which that system was intended."

The establishment of this command is part of a renewed focus on surface ship readiness. NAVSEA, in partnership with the U.S. Fleet Forces Command, has begun a series of initiatives to increase fleet support and improve maintenance practices across ship classes, while also modernizing them to keep pace with mission requirements. These initiatives are designed to ensure all surface ships are fully mission-ready and able to achieve their expected service life.

"I am counting on you to lead the way for the Navy to transform how we as a Navy address surface ship maintenance requirements," said Vice Adm. Kevin McCoy, commander, Naval Sea Systems Command. "This is not about a name change, but rather a change that recognizes the vital and significant revolution that has happened in how the Navy views the importance of surface ship maintenance. We are improving the communication between NAVSEA and fleet operators regarding ship maintenance and modernization."

Aligned under NAVSEA's Surface Warfare Directorate (SEA 21), SURFMEPP is headquartered aboard Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va., with detachments in Norfolk, Va.; Mayport, Fla.; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Yokosuka, Japan; and San Diego.

The activity is designed similarly to and will have the same functionality as the Submarine Maintenance Engineering Planning and Procurement (SUBMEPP) Activity and the Carrier Planning Activity (CPA).