April 20, 2020

Navy Commissions USS Vermont (SSN 792) 4 l 20 l 2020

A publication of Newport News Shipbuilding

The Navy commissioned USS Vermont (SSN 792), the 19th Virginia-class submarine, Saturday, April 18.

Although the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the traditional public commissioning ceremony, the Navy commissioned Vermont administratively and transitioned the boat to normal operations.

Navy officials hope to commemorate the special event in the future with Ship’s Sponsor Gloria Valdez, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Ships); the crew; and the commissioning committee.

Newport News Shipbuilding employees can make changes to their benefits online during annual enrollment. Photo by Matt Hildreth

Benefits Annual Enrollment Underway Benefits annual enrollment runs April 20 through May 1. Newport News Shipbuilding employees should use this time to review benefits changes and make new elections. During annual enrollment, shipbuilders should: • Update their tobacco-use status: United Steelworkers, guards and salaried employees who do not use tobacco must update their status to “tobacco-free” to save $660 on their Huntington Ingalls Industries medical insurance starting July 1.

• Re-enroll in health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs): Employees enrolled in FSAs must re-enroll to maintain coverage.

• Ensure contact information is up to date: Review their email address and phone number in UPoint and update as necessary.

Employees can make changes to their benefits and update their tobacco-use status on UPoint through www.hiibenefits.com or by calling the Huntington Ingalls Benefits Center (HIBC) at 1-877-216-3222. For help choosing benefit plans, employees can access the ALEX decision support tool at www.myalex.com/hii/2020/hiibenefits.com.

“The crew is hungry to hone our skills at-sea and become an effective fighting unit, and we will work tirelessly to justify the nation’s confidence in us,” said Cmdr. Charles W. Phillips III, Vermont’s commanding officer.

“Today marks the culmination of six years of dedicated work by the men and women who constructed the nation’s newest and most capable warship. We are all honored to be part of this historic moment.”

Built as part of a teaming agreement between Newport News Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat, Vermont is the first of 10 Block IV Virginiaclass submarines. Block IV submarines incorporate design changes to reduce total ownership cost, as well as allow the Navy to increase the time between maintenance stops and the number of deployments.

Vision Center Returns to Normal Hours The HII Family Vision Center will operate normal business hours starting Monday, April 20. Onsite services will be available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

Employees can visit the vision center for eyewear and safety glasses orders, minor repairs, adjustments and order pickup.

Contact the vision center at (757) 327-4188 or email oscconsumersupport@vsp.com.

COVID-19 Updates Newport News Shipbuilding provides daily updates about the Coronavirus and company operations on nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411.

The Employee Information Phone Line (1-877-871-2058) also provides up-to-date information about shipyard operations. Employees can call the Human Resources and Labor Relations Hotline (1-844-243-8749) or email COVID-19@hii-nns.com for Coronavirus questions or concerns.

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CURRENTS

4 | 20 | 2020

Shipbuilders Set Up Disinfectant Stations Across VCS Campus With COVID-19 on the minds of shipbuilders, Natasha Southall (X33) wanted to help calm fears while also giving employees in the Virginia Class Submarine (VCS) Program tools to keep themselves safe.

Southall and Tracey Edmonds (X33), Nate Robinson (X33) and Derrick Patterson (X33) set up 12 disinfectant stations across the VCS campus stocked with disinfectant spray, gloves and paper towels. The goal was to place a station in front of every unit, Southall said.

X33 cleaners wipe down and disinfect surfaces – including railings, timeclocks, doors, elevators and even tool boxes and bikes – throughout the day. The disinfectant stations allow shipbuilders to clean their work areas as often as they feel is necessary.

“The first day we set the stations out there, people were using them left and right,” Southall said. “Not even just for the unit, but for areas where they sit down as well.”

Fellow shipbuilders have been appreciative of cleaning efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Some people tend to overlook cleanup crews and material support, but since this has been going on we’ve been getting thank yous from everyone,” Southall said.

Pictured in the front from left are Natasha Southall and Tracey Edmonds. Pictured in the back row from left are Nate Robinson and Derrick Patterson.

prioritize cleanliness. “This is a scary moment right now, but I hope the focus on cleaning continues when this is all over because germs are an everyday thing,” she said.

After the COVID-19 pandemic ends, Southall hopes shipbuilders will continue to

HII Insider Trading Policy Reminder The Business Management Division reminds Newport News Shipbuilding employees of Huntington Ingalls Industries’ policy on insider trading. The policy states that federal securities laws prohibit trading of a public company’s stock or other securities (such as bonds or stock options) while in possession of material non-public information.

This restriction includes increasing or decreasing an HII stock position in retirement or 401(k) accounts. Material non-public information is defined as any information not available to the general public that could affect the price of the security and that a reasonable investor would consider important in deciding to

purchase, sell or hold securities of the company in question.

Insider trading can result in substantial civil and criminal penalties, including civil fines of up to three times the profit gained or loss avoided and a criminal fine of up to $5 million. Individuals may also face a jail sentence of up to 20 years.

For more details, including information on transactions that are not subject to insider trading restrictions, read the Corporate Policy A11 – Insider Trading. For questions about the policy or whether you possess material nonpublic information, contact the Law Department (O16) prior to executing any HII stock transaction.

Child Care Resources for Shipbuilders The upcoming shift change has raised child care concerns for some Newport News Shipbuilding employees.

The YMCA of the Virginia Peninsulas offers emergency child care for essential personnel at several of its centers for children ages 5-12. The YMCA will consider accommodating the schedules of impacted NNS employees if there is sufficient demand. Locations include Newport News, Hampton, Smithfield and York County. Interested employees can contact Maureen Savage at Maureen.Savage@ymcavp.org.

Another option is Child Care Aware, a free state service that helps identify child care providers operating in the current climate. For more information, visit vachildcare.com or call 1-866-543-7852.

SmartPath Webinars Available Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, SmartPath has shifted its upcoming in-person classes to webinars.

Newport News Shipbuilding employees can attend budgeting webinars at noon and 4:30 p.m. on May 12 and a college savings webinar at noon on May 20. Employees who cannot attend live are still encouraged to register to receive a replay via email.

Visit www.joinsmartpath.com/hii/classes to register.