Truman Docking Availability 75 Percent Complete, Ready for Final Stage

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120213-03
2/13/2012

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David R. Finley Jr., USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) reached the 75 percent mark for its docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) Feb. 7.

A brief was held at the Renaissance Hotel in Portsmouth, Va., to review the major milestones completed to date and discuss the strategy for the remainder of DPIA.

Capt. Dee L. Mewbourne, Truman's commanding officer, and Matt Durkin, project superintendent, briefed Rear Adm. Ted Branch, commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic; Rear Adm. Joseph Campbell, commander, Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY); Rear Adm. Herman Shelanski, commander, Carrier Strike Group 10; and civilian officials from NNSY and Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) on Truman's DPIA analysis, lessons learned and schedule.

During the review, Mewbourne said it is vital to establish essential services back on board.

"It is important to reclaim the ship," said Mewbourne. "We have lived off the ship since March. We have also welcomed a lot of new Sailors aboard since arriving at NNSY. When our Sailors return to the ship, it is important that we take full ownership of our spaces."

Cmdr. Anthony Harrell, Truman's damage control assistant, said the 75 percent review is a good way to measure the ship's progress and ensure Truman is on track during its DPIA.

"For the ship, this milestone means we can see the light at the end of the tunnel," said Harrell. "We are at 75 percent, and we have a defined way ahead to reach our goal of returning to the fleet on time."

The focus for the rest of DPIA includes increasing shipboard training in preparation for at-sea operations.

Sailors aboard Truman are conducting general quarters drills, retraining damage control repair lockers, and completing personnel qualification standards for shipboard systems.

Since switching its berth from dry dock 8 (DD8) to Pier 6, Truman and NNSY leadership have focused on housing the ship's in port emergency teams and essential personnel.

"Our goal is to house every Sailor in a permanent crew living space in four to six weeks," said Lt. Doug Evans, NNSY security manager and Truman's habitability integration leader. "We also plan to serve meals in the forward galley and wardrooms after maintenance and equipment are certified."

Truman's DPIA is the largest scale maintenance cycle ever conducted at NNSY. Truman completed its last DPIA in 2006 at NNSY.