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Navy Leadership Discuss Surface Ship Maintenance Initiatives

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110502-20
5/2/2011

From Navy Regional Maintenance Center Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Center (CNRMC) co-presented with the Director of Fleet Maintenance, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC), during a conference hosted by the American Maritime Modernization Association (AMMA) in Virginia Beach, Va., April 21.

Capt. David Gale (CNRMC) and Rear Adm. James Murdoch (Fleet Maintenance Director) discussed several Navy surface ship maintenance and modernization initiatives, including the Surface Ship Readiness Initiative (SSRI), during their brief to the AMMA at the Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library.

"SSRI addresses the gaps that exist within the end-to-end surface ship maintenance and modernization process," said Gale. "The initiative is made up of five major components, or five big rocks, that serve as a roadmap to a well-defined maintenance plan."

The five components that comprise SSRI include assessment plans and policies; an integrated sustainment program; the establishment of Surface Maintenance Engineering Planning Program (SURFMEPP); reconstituting regional maintenance center (RMC) capability and capacity; and the development of an availability execution and work certification process.
"SSRI also helps refine current processes, and aids in the coordination of roles and responsibilities between government and industry partners," said Gale.

Murdoch emphasized the importance of standardizing maintenance practices and aligning efforts through common initiatives, while Gale noted the need for institutionalized repair procedures and uniformity in training to prepare all facets of the Navy's maintenance and modernization workforce.

Gale then stressed the criticality of NRMC's forthcoming workforce development program designed to address the requisite training standards and qualifications for every type of maintenance position at every level of responsibility.

Both discussed the importance of creating collaborative partnerships among military, civilians, and contractors involved in surface ship maintenance, and closed out the session by highlighting their ongoing efforts to fully refine and codify the Navy's multiship/multioption (MSMO) contracts to ensure comprehensive coordination to ensure the most efficient execution of all non-nuclear surface ship maintenance and modernization contracting activities.