Rhode to Success: A look at the Rhode Island Project Team

THE “RHODE” TO SUCCESS: A look at the Rhode Island Project Team

By ANNA TAYLOR • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST Over the coming months, Service to the Fleet will be featuring “The Rhode to Success,” an installment focusing on some of the key project team members for the USS Rhode Island’s (SSBN-740) 27-month availability.

The USS Rhode Island (SSBN-740) is scheduled to arrive at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in December for her 27-month Engineered Refueling Overhaul (ERO), a major availability during which the submarine will be refueled and upgraded before returning to support the country’s nuclear triad.

John Akin, a Mechanical Zone Manager in the Operations Department (Code 300), is one of 10 zone managers on the project and will play in integral role during the ERO. “He will be overseeing all of the work that happens in the forward compartment of the submarine,” said Frank Williams, Operations Department Non-Nuclear Assistant Project Superintendent. “He will be maintaining the schedule and coordinating across multiple 22 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • JUNE 2015

departments for all those folks to come in and get the work done.”

Akin began his post-military shipyard career three years ago in the Shipbuilding Support Office (Code 284) as an Engineering Technician. He is no stranger to Ohio-class warships. Over the course of his 26-year career, the retired Master Chief Petty Officer served on seven submarines, including the USS Tennessee (SSBN-734), for which he was Chief of the Boat (COB) during her ERO. “His background prior to coming in the shipyard fits very nicely with what we’re going to go do [on the Rhode Island],” said John Walker, Rhode Island Deputy Project Superintendent. “He was the COB on a ballistic missile submarine. He has a very indepth knowledge on how they work.”

(March 20, 2013) The Ohioclass ballistic missile submarine USS Rhode Island (SSBN-740) returns to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay after three months at sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Kimber)

As COB, Akin was the go-to guy for a combined crew of 250 personnel. “The COB is the sounding board for everybody.

Everyone talks to you,” said Akin. “You get to hear everything, and then make suggestions to deal with morale and welfare of the crew, chiefs, and officers. You touch base with everybody almost daily. You’re the guy who has the most experience on the submarine.”

Because of the Trident ballistic missiles they carry, SSBN submarines are also called “Trident” submarines. “The nice thing about Tridents is they were all built by Electric Boat (EB), so everything is where it’s supposed to be,” said Akin. “Everything is in the same place. So I know where all the equipment is.”

“The key to achieving our 27-month goal is to have Mr. Akin’s past knowledge

PHOTOS BY SHAYNE HENSLEY • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER

Akin was born in Ft. Benning, GA and raised around the world. He began his career at NNSY in Code 284 as an Engineering Technician.

He became the Project Lead for Industrial Shipbuilding and Repair Base Acquisition, Planning and Appraisal (Code 284.2).

and experience helping us out as a team,” said Walker. “We’re going to be leaning on him to help the other guys who haven’t had such a broad focus in their work.”

While the refueling of Rhode Island is considered the most critical part of the project, there is a significant amount of other work. EROs are complex, and the Rhode Island project has a list of strategic initiatives that are key to undocking the ship on time, all of which help the team maintain a wide focus to ensure each component is executed at the right stage. “[The refueling] is a big portion of it, but that’s not really why it takes 27 months,” said Akin. “It’s all-encompassing. While the nuclear work is going on, that’s when we’ve got to update the sonar suite or navigation package or fire control, all of that stuff.”

“A great deal of the work that’s got to be done outside of refueling is going to be Akin’s [responsibility],” said Williams.

The Rhode Island’s road to success will be paved with hard-working people like Akin. “That’s what we do as a shipyard. We overhaul the submarine and turn it back to the fleet,” said Walker. “That’s what we’re here for, that’s the most important thing we do, and we need to grab hold of the best and brightest and most talented folks we can get to execute that mission. We were lucky enough to find Mr. Akin.”