Yardlines, June 2011

In This Issue USS Theodore Roosevelt Waterborne CVN 78 Superlift

Yardlines

Photo by John Whalen

Minnesota Keel Laying

A Publication of Newport News Shipbuilding

June 2011

Dear Shipbuilders: Welcome to the first edition of the new Yardlines, a monthly magazine that highlights our great people and quality products, while also documenting the unique and extraordinary world of shipbuilding.

As I’ve said many times, there is no place else in the world that can do everything that we do right here – that the American shipbuilders of Newport News Shipbuilding do each and every day. This magazine will help to tell our story.

I hope you will enjoy the new format, focused solely on Newport News Shipbuilding. And I hope you will be proud when you read about all that we’re doing today to continue our 125year tradition of building the best and highest-quality ships in the world.

Sincerely,

Matt Mulherin President, Newport News Shipbuilding

The Closer Tim Ewing’s goal was to close more than 248 tanks before USS Theodore Roosevelt undocked in May. And that’s what his small team of 12 did – and more. At undocking, 264 tanks were closed.

The ship has since moved pier-side, where Ewing, production manager, Hull and Tank Production, and his team of primarily fitters and cleaners will stay until all 613 tanks on his checklist are in tip-top shape and ready for delivery.

Having worked on three carriers prior to Roosevelt, Ewing is very familiar with the ship’s hundreds of tanks, which come in all shapes and sizes (from 6 to 80-plus feet tall) and have a variety of functions. Some carry drinking water and others hold jet fuel for the ship’s aircraft. A few store oily waste while others act as ballasts to keep the ship on an even keel. But whatever the size or purpose, Ewing has likely walked, climbed and even crawled through most of them.

He’s proud of his team’s accomplishments on Roosevelt.

“It’s not about breaking records,” Ewing said. “It’s about accomplishing a goal, getting the ship ready for undocking and making sure the customer is satisfied.”

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Photo by Ricky Thompson

Photo by Chris Oxley

USS Theodore Roosevelt waterborne again

Photo by Chris Oxley

Dave Fletcher and the Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) team haven’t had much time to breathe. They worked around the clock onboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), making preparations for the ship to leave the dry dock and begin its next phase of the more than three-year RCOH project.

The carrier, which has been in Dry Dock 11 for more than 20 months undergoing its one and only RCOH, reached a significant accomplishment with its undocking on May 21.

“It’s a major milestone in the life of any aircraft carrier,” said Fletcher, superintendent, Hull and Tank Production. Floating the ship tests the integrity of its hull, both inside and out, he said. “One of the largest events in a ship’s life is getting it waterborne.”

Reaching this milestone was a big challenge, one of the biggest he has faced in his 33 years at the shipyard, Fletcher said. “We’ve replaced a significant amount of steel, opened and inspected over 600 tanks, and blasted and painted more than 200 tanks.”

Working in a space just over 2-feet tall in frigid temperatures was among the challenges John Gregory, production foreman, and his team of 14 mechanics had to endure to restore two of the tanks. “In spite of the many challenges and obstacles, our team finished all the repairs with no quality turn-backs, one day prior to the scheduled deadline and with zero accidents,“ Gregory said.

“That’s a testament all in itself.”

Dave Keene, a welding general foreman who has worked on every one of the shipyard’s overhauls, agreed it was a big job. “We did a tremendous job getting the project to this point,” he said.

But a few days before it’s undocking, Fletcher reflected on the work the

RCOH team has accomplished so far. He recognizes once the ship is pier-side, the clock will reset and start the remaining 19 months to redelivery. But the focus for the team will change from underwater hull repair work to system completion and testing. “We’ll be bringing the ship back to life,” Fletcher said.

“Bringing systems back on line and testing them, completing work within various compartments, rebuilding the catapults and moving the crew back aboard.

“It will be a race to the finish then,” he said. But he’s confident it will be done right. “We’ve got a great team on this program. The fitters and welders have had significant accomplishments on this ship, and we have a great engineering and production staff. There are a lot of experienced shipbuilders on this ship, and everyone is headed in the right direction,” he said.

Now that Roosevelt is successfully afloat, Fletcher and his hull and tank team can relax, if just for a moment.

“We can all take a breath for a week,” Fletcher said. “But then there will be another high-level milestone we’ll all be chasing.”

Photo by Chris Oxley

“Big Blue”

Makes History with 945-Ton Lift What do you call the largest aircraft carrier crane lift that’s been accomplished since modular construction began at the shipyard?

The team of fitters, pipefitters and welders who built the superlift over the past 16 months summed it up in one word: “amazing.”

On May 19, shipbuilders from the Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) program erected the largest-ever, 945-ton superlift near the stern of the ship.

“We put great quality work into building this structure,” said Douglas Rainey, a welder who worked on the structure from start to finish.

“Everyone did their part, and we looked out for each other, especially when we were working in some of the tight spaces.”

The lift, assembled from 18 smaller structural units, contains a diesel

generator room, a pump room, an oily water waste pump room and 34 tanks.

This lift, (the largest lifted to date) is only one of 162 superlifts that will make up the Gerald R. Ford. This modular method of constructing aircraft carriers began in 1981.

Until 2008, when the “Big Blue” gantry crane was overhauled and upgraded from its original 900-ton capacity, a lift of this size would not have been possible. The crane upgrades now allow for lifts up to 1,050 tons.

“Building one of the biggest superlifts is always a challenge,” said Ray Huff, a shipfitter working on the final assembly platen. “It feels good to look at the completed product and realize what we have accomplished.”

Photo by Ricky Thompson

Keel laid for

In typical fashion, John “Snake” Smith downplayed the excitement of the May 20 ceremonial keel-laying of the Virginia-class submarine Minnesota (SSN 783) and his special role in it. He remained calm and focused, just like he has for the last 42 years of his shipbuilding career.

“I believe if you stay focused, you can accomplish anything,” said Smith, a second-shift welder and Master Shipbuilder whose special welding assignment put him front and center for the day. “My role is to support the ship’s sponsor at this event.”

Ellen Roughead, Minnesota native and wife of the Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Gary Roughead, is the ship’s sponsor and served as the keel authenticator for the ceremony.

Crew of the Minnesota (SSN 783) Photo by John Whalen

Smith and Mrs. Roughead were joined by U.S. Navy and government officials, Newport News Shipbuilding employees and the ship’s crew to celebrate the submarine’s keellaying, a time-honored shipbuilding tradition.

Minnesota is the 10th Virginia-class submarine being built by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Electric Boat team.

With a steady hand, Smith welded the sponsor’s chalked initials (EWR) onto a metal plate to authenticate the keel. The plate will later be permanently affixed to the ship named for the North Star State.

“I’m honored to be selected and to participate in this ceremony,” Smith said. “I want the customer and those who will sail on Minnesota to be assured that we will build a safe vessel, a strong vessel and a worthy vessel to take them to and from their mission to protect our country.”

Other employee participants included Bobby Johnson, a member of the Lines and Shipwright crew, who delivered the invocation, and Wendell Parker, a structural production foreman, who sang the national anthem.

More than 900 shipbuilders are building Minnesota, which began construction in February 2008.

Photo by John Whalen

Buildingthe All aboard

California

The crew of the newest Virginia-class submarine, California (SSN 781), moved aboard May 9 and enjoyed a traditional surf and turf dinner the following day.

“The combined shipbuilder and Navy team worked together to achieve this important milestone,” said Becky Stewart, vice president of Newport News Shipbuilding’s Submarine Program. “Once the crew moves onboard, the submarine comes to life and begins its final journey toward becoming an operational platform. It’s an exciting time for the entire California team as we move one step closer to delivery.”

Named to honor the “Golden State,” California is in the final stages of construction and testing.

Sea trials to demonstrate the nuclear-powered submarine’s capabilities are scheduled to begin soon.

California will be the first Virginia-class submarine delivered by Newport News Shipbuilding under the company’s new name.

Upon delivery to the Navy, California will be the most modern and sophisticated attack submarine in the world.

USS Boise (SSN 764), one of 28 Los Angeles-class submarines built from 1965 to 1974 by Newport News Shipbuilding, recently won the Navy’s 2010 Battenberg Cup for being the best-all around ship in the Atlantic Fleet.

USS Boise was commissioned Nov. 7, 1992.

silentones from sea crawlers to nuclear power This is the fourth feature in a series of articles celebrating Newport News Shipbuilding’s 125th anniversary.

The first submarine built at Newport News Shipbuilding was only 73 feet long and had retractable wheels so it could crawl along the ocean floor.

The year was 1904 and the shipyard, under contract to submarine pioneer Simon Lake, built a total of eight submarines. Though a brief foray into underwater sea power, the Lake subs laid the foundation for the shipyard’s long history of building submarines for the silent service.

Four decades passed before the yard again ventured into submarine construction, focusing instead on building the battleships and aircraft carriers the U. S. Navy needed to win the war.

But with the dawn of nuclear power came the shipyard’s re-entry into the submarine business with Shark (SSN 591), launched in 1960 as the yard’s first contracted nuclear vessel.

It was followed quickly by contracts to build Polaris missile submarines, of which Newport News built 14 in only six years – a third of the Navy’s Polaris fleet.

Next, the company delivered nine Sturgeon-class attack submarines to the Navy in as many years.

In 1965, however, the shipyard took the lead by designing the propulsion plant for an entirely new class of submarines – the Los Angeles (LA) class – which outweighed and

outsized the Sturgeon subs. The first was launched in 1974, and the yard built 28 more. The nuclear-powered LA-class grew to be the nation’s most numerous submarine class with 62 ships built and delivered in a 20-year production run.

But after the shipyard launched its final LA-class submarine, Cheyenne, in 1995, submarine construction at Newport News again went silent.

A decade later, the shipyard once again jumped out of the starting gate to construct the latest in submarine technology and power, the Virginiaclass.

Built in concert with General Dynamics Electric Boat, the partnership aims to produce the most cost-effective submarine construction program to date, with sections of the submarine built at each shipyard and final construction, test and delivery divided between the two. Newport News will deliver its fourth submarine California, this year.

At 370 feet, the sub houses the latest in weapons and warfare technology, ready for any mission the Navy has in store. No retractable wheels required.

New tug honors

shipbuilding

Legend With the smash of a bottle of American sparkling wine on the ship’s hull, Master Shipbuilder and Ship’s Sponsor Shirley Langston officially christened the new 67-foot tugboat, Capt. Ambrose.

The newest addition to the shipyard tugboat fleet is named for the late Capt. Marvin L. Ambrose, a former tugboat master and docking pilot who retired from the Newport News shipyard in 1973 after 44 years of service.

On April 27, members of the Ambrose family joined guests behind the Virginia Advanced Shipbuilding and Carrier Integration Center in Newport News for the ceremonial christening of Capt. Ambrose.

Newport News Shipbuilder Troy Hudgins, great nephew to Capt Ambrose, said it was “a great honor“ for the family to witness the christening of the boat named for his iconic uncle. Danny Hunley, vice president of Operations, presented an American flag that was flown over the new tug during its sea trials to Bobby Hudgins, Capt. Ambrose’s nephew and retired Newport News Shipbuilding employee.

“Though we’re no longer building tugboats here along the banks of the James River, we still feel that same sense of pride and ownership for our modern-day tugs as if we had built them ourselves,” said Newport News Shipbuilding President Matt Mulherin. “It’s why we name them for shipbuilding legends.”

Capt. Ambrose was a member of the original crew on Huntington, a tugboat that was placed in service on Nov. 18, 1933. He eventually became tugboat master on Huntington, a position he held until his retirement.

It’s estimated that he assisted 30,000 vessels during his career.

“Everyone’s excited about the Capt. Ambrose and we couldn’t be more proud to be the first crew on the new boat,” said Allen Sutton, pilot and leader of Capt.

Ambrose’s four-man crew. “We’re looking forward to seeing what she can do.”

The new tug’s first major role was to help move the USS Theodore Roosevelt out of dry dock on May 21.

History maker Shirley Langston When Shirley Langston was growing up on 44th Street in Newport News, one of her favorite things to do was walk to the fence at the edge of the shipyard and watch the ships being built.

“I’ve had shipyard blood in me for many a year,” said the Carrier Overhaul Production Control employee who has worked at the shipyard for more than half a century.

For Langston, whose mom worked in purchasing and whose dad worked in the Foundry, coming to work at the shipyard after high school in 1958 seemed a natural thing to do.

Carrier Overhaul Production Control Specialist and Ship’s Sponsor Shirley Langston continued to make history at the April 27 christening of Newport News Shipbuilding’s newest tugboat – Capt. Ambrose. Photo by Ricky Thompson

She got her start in the Hull and Machinery tool room as an office clerk. Back then the shipyard only went as far north as the Steel Fabrication Shop. “Anything beyond that has been built since I was here,” she said.

to work in the shipyard,” she remembers. “And I’m still working on Enterprise 53 years later. It must be a good ship.” She jokes that the Enterprise is why she hasn’t retired. “I haven’t finished my first project yet,” she laughs.

Over the years, Langston has watched many ships sail away from the shipyard. “I was fascinated when they would knock out the blocks and ships would go down the ways. Those were the real launchings,” she said.

Retirement, however, isn’t on her to-do list. Too many happy memories keep her anchored to the shipyard, like the recent Capt. Ambrose tugboat christening and the sounds of the shipyard cranes. Her father was instrumental in getting safety whistles and bells installed on cranes to give employees ample warning that a crane is near.

Of all the ships she’s helped build, USS Enterprise holds a special place in her heart.

“We were building Enterprise in Dry Dock 11 when I came

“Every time I hear the cranes going,” said Langston, “I think of my dad.”

Long Service MASTER SHIPBUILDERS

may

B.T. Carter 40 years

George Cunningham 40 years

James “Peanut” Durie 45 years

Dave Gray 40 years

Grady Jenkins 40 years

Carlton Knight 40 years

Ernest Martin 40 years

John McIntyre Jr. 40 years

Ernie Montgomery 50 years

General “Frog” Moore 40 years

Tim Roberts 40 years

David Roselius 40 years

Ted Sethman 40 years

Don Suits 40 years

Frankie Thrower 40 years

Larry Trent 45 years

Tom Walters 40 years

50 Years Ernest F. Montgomery E39

Carlton R. Knight X87 William G. Leary X36 Tyrone Little X33 Ernest L. Martin X32 Charles E. Massie Jr. O67 John S. McIntyre Jr. X36 Eugene McKoy X36 General H. Moore X42 Samuel R. Pender O15 Enoch T. Roberts O53 Don C. Rodgers X33 David G. Roselius E83 Theodore P. Sethman E51 Donald L. Suits X88 Frankie E. Thrower X32

Thomas M. Walters O43 Herbert L. Whitaker Jr. X11 Carlton E. Whitley X42

Roger J. Insco O14 Mckinley T. Jefferson X18 Johnnie Jernigan X33 James E. Johnson X73 William D. Jones Jr. O54 Joe H. Mabry X18 Larry L. Martin X18 Elliott L. Mason E82 Franklin C. McAllister O53 Darryl E. Owens X36 Jerome Reese III O46 Mary E. Thompson X74 Bobby C. Vaughan X18 Rodney D. Walker X33 Gordon R. Ware O31

Gary A. Werlau X82 Moses Wilkins X36 Jeffery A. Williams X33

45 Years Herman L. Dixon O57 James E. Durie X36 Russell L. Moody X18 Larry W. Trent X70 40 Years Booker T. Carter Jr. X43 George O. Cunningham O31 Robert C. Edwards X43 Howard D. Gray M30 Grady J. Jenkins X32

35 Years Michael V. Barger X36 Charles E. Brett X67 Marvin H. Carter X15 James S. Collins X31 Fredrick E. Dagen X18 Leviathan B. Denson Jr. X18 Alden L. Gary X33 Kenneth H. Hogge Jr. X69 Perry A. House X42 Claudia J. Hughes X15

30 Years Donald R. Coles T54 William J. Dowd E83 Paul C. Evans E51 James A. HarmonJr. X43 William R. Henry Jr. E22 Peter G. Jones E24 Wayne Lines X83 Ronnie A. Tong K93 John M. West Jr. X43 Steven W. Woodward E89

25 Years Jon S. Austin X71 William J. Fallon O93 John C. Germano E67 Joseph C. Kilgore K07 David R. Long K71 William K. Mahler O11 Richard M. Neville E46 Frank J. Rossi E86 20 Years Larry D. Hall E05 Deanna M. Naylor E73 Cleveland T. Smith X31

June 2011 Yardlines is published 10 times a year for the employees of Newport News Shipbuilding.

This issue of Yardlines was produced by: Gina Chew-Holman, Mike Dillard, Jessicah Hegeman, Eugene Phillips, LaMar Smith and Susan Sumner. Additional writing services by Barlow Communications. Photographs by: Chris Oxley, Ricky Thompson and John Whalen Send comments, questions and story ideas to: gina.chewholman@hii-nns.com or 757·380·2627 Look for more news at www.huntingtoningalls.com/nns

Mastering the Art of Shipbuilding

Photo by Chris Oxley

Newport News Shipbuilding hosted its 22nd annual Master Shipbuilders dinner ceremony on April 21, honoring 534 shipbuilders with 40 or more years of continuous service. Shipbuilders enjoyed a reception and dinner to celebrate the occasion with 28 new shipbuilders receiving the traditional master shipbuilder jacket. Shipbuilder Curtis Irby was recognized as the most senior Master Shipbuilder with more than 58 years of continuous service.

Retirements march Luther E. Burrus X18 William L. Canady X33 Gary A. Davis K93 Joseph W. Degaetano O39 Timothy W. Elliott O64

Shirlene Harper O53 Charlotte M. Hayes O46 Larry Henderson X73 John M. Holmes X11 Larry L. Hurst O43

George T. Jernigan O46 Kenneth R. Kittrell X53 Garland J. Lawson X32 Don W. McQuillen O26 Lawrence T. Meyers O39

Gerald W. Moore X88 Churchill E. Robinson Jr. O53 Grant P. Schneider E35 Frederick L. Seldomridge X43 Michael J. Sivacek O51

Thomas W. Stamey X43 Jean Taylor X32 Artie W. Thompson Jr. O46 Yves R. Triolet X32 Charles W. Tuggle O15

John Turner Jr. X42 Joseph Williams X43 Charles L. Wilson X18 David W. Yoh E84 Frank S. Zareo O43

april Charlene Avery X32 Benjamin C. Brinkley Jr. X32 Michael A. Conte O20 Edward J. Cripps X31

Lonnie J. Dempsey X42 Lonnie J. Dempsey X42 Thomas M. Fennell X43 James C. Gaskins X11

Baron W. Hartwig X82 Danny W. Hunt E14 John M. Jenkins O46 Josephus Jernigan O15

David L. May X72 David B. McKercher O61 Charles B. Milby O15 Clarence P. Moore X18

William O. Roberson X18 Homer L. Thompson O64 Phillip Tynes X42 John B. Webster E43

Chaffin L. Wesley E82 Robert R. White E12 Larry R. Wiant E58 Thomas K. Williams O64

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June 2011

CVN 79 Gets a Name The second aircraft carrier of the Gerald R. Ford class, CVN 79, has been named in honor of the late President John F. Kennedy. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced the naming May 29 at the president’s namesake library in Boston on what would have been Kennedy’s 94th birthday. This is the second aircraft carrier to be named after Kennedy and the second to be built by Newport News Shipbuilding. The first was the conventionally-powered CV 67, which was decommissioned in 2007. Caroline Kennedy, pictured above at the naming ceremony, served as the ship’s sponsor for CV 67 and christened that ship 44 years ago, when she was nine years old. She will also serve as the sponsor for CVN 79.