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Harry S. Truman ends inaugural maintenance deployment early - Around the Fleet - aircraft carrier - Brief Article
All Hands, April, 2002 by Natividad Davis
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) ended the most successful shipyard availability ever held at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) recently, by completing sea trials after her first six-month maintenance period.
The three-year-old carrier left the shipyard in Portsmouth, Va., ahead of schedule and under budget. The maintenance period, known as a Planned Incremental Availability (PIA), was the first of many the three year-old carrier will see during her planned 50 years of service.
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"We had certain goals entering this availability and I'm pleased to see that we met or exceeded all of them," said Truman's Commanding Officer, CAPT David Logsdon. "Given the importance of our time in the shipyard, we approached this maintenance period as if it were another deployment for us. It was key for the crew to understand that there was a definite and important mission involved here. Given the results we've seen, it's safe to say they agreed. I'm proud of each and every Sailor and shipyard worker who contributed to this successful maintenance period."
According to the NNSY Commanding Officer, CAPT Mark Hugel, the Truman team has set a new standard for a maintenance availability. "We recognized from the very beginning of the planning for this availability that we were starting a 50-year relationship with Harry S. Truman, and it was critically important to make a good first impression. The team focused on the same vision -- the best ever -- and the teamwork has allowed them to succeed."
Mike Boisseau, project superintendent, echoed Hugel's thoughts. "We decided to run, not walk and make the best even better," he said. "Truman will be fit to defend and eager to return."
Boisseau showed his enthusiasm not only on the completion of Truman's maintenance, but also on its surpassing leadership and precise teamwork. "I've never worked with a commanding officer who was more dedicated to the mission," said Boisseau. "Everyone worked shoulder-to-shoulder maintaining all standards while in the shipyard."
Boisseau said the blueprints for Truman's next maintenance deployment are already in the making and the game plan is to challenge the team and win again. "If you want different results, you have to do something different."
"Our expectation upon entering the shipyard was to leave early or on time with all the work completed," said CDR Scott McKernan, Truman's chief engineer. "We've accomplished more than anyone could have ever expected. Thanks to the team effort, we have literally rewritten the book on how availabilities can be done."
"Just because we're new doesn't mean we were getting a small package done," said McKernan. "We're actually getting as much work done as USS Theodore Roosevelt (CYN 71) and USS George Washington (CVN 73)."
McKernan said that the $110 million spent on repairs and upgrades is just a fraction of the original $4 billion it cost to build the ship. The project was executed with a savings of $8 to 10 million, even after taking on $4 million worth of new work.
"Truman had the largest package ever attempted and completed for CVNs on a first availability, but a lot of things we tried for the first time worked beyond our wildest dreams," McKernan said.
He also noted that one of the most challenging projects during PIA was the installation of a ninth air conditioning plant (9A/C). Preparations for the project began three months before Truman's arrival to NNSY. Large holes had to be cut in the ship's hull and in areas from the second deck to the seventh deck in order to get all the gear and equipment on board. Currently, the 9A/C plant is installed and working.
Installing an air conditioner on an aircraft carrier is different than installing one in a home, as a carrier needs to cool more than 2,000 compartments on board, requiring 2,520 tons of air-conditioning capacity. That's enough to cool more than 2,000 homes.
Another major accomplishment was the alteration to each of Truman's catapults. According to McKernan, this was the first time an alteration of this type was attempted on all four catapults and completed during a single availability. Other significant achievements included the installation of fully-certified combat system upgrades.
Departing NNSY ahead of schedule, McKernan feels confident that Truman's PIA 2001 will be remembered as a successful deployment.
"We do what we say," said McKernan. "Everything has been completed on time. We're 100-percent-ready and fully operational. Wrapping up the largest initial availability ever for a carrier shows commitment of the Navy at all levels to a 50-year lifespan."
For more information on aircraft carriers, go to www.navy.mil, select "Our Ships," then "Aircraft Carriers."
COPYRIGHT 2002 U.S. Navy
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