May 10, 2021

5 | 10 | 2021

A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding

Stennis Arrives USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) arrived at Newport News Shipbuilding Thursday, May 6, to start its refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) after years of advance planning.

“For the last three years, we have planned each step of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis’ RCOH, including procuring long lead-time materials, conducting shipboard inspections and readying our facilities for this extensive engineering and construction project,” said Todd West, vice president of In-Service Aircraft Carrier Programs.

CONTINUED ON PG 2

Photo by Ashley Cowan

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5 | 10 | 2021 “It just felt like the right thing to do,” said X32 Foreman Ed Sydnor, who played an instrumental role in Kennedy’s flag installation. “It was pretty comforting to hear the comments that a lot of people had. It was a team effort.”

Enterprise’s American flag went up much earlier in the ship’s construction process than the flag on Kennedy.

Shipbuilders install an American flag on an Enterprise (CVN 80) unit on the Final Assembly Platen. Photo by Ashley Cowan

Shipbuilders Raise Enterprise’s First Flag Shipbuilders recently raised the first American flag on Enterprise (CVN 80).

“The purpose of building these ships is so the Navy can protect this country, and flying the American flag on one of the ship’s units highlights that connection between service to country and shipbuilding,” said Adam Krininger, a construction supervisor for CVN 80.

This continues a tradition that began at Newport News Shipbuilding on John F. Kennedy (CVN 79). The American flag on CVN 79 is replaced every three to four months and presented to individuals for special accomplishments, retirements or other occasions.

“We started flying a flag on CVN 79 in 2017, about 2 years after keel. On CVN 80, we started at the beginning by placing it on the keel superlift while it is still on the Final Assembly Platen. As the ship rises in the dock, we will move the flag to the highest point on the ship. Eventually, we will put it on the island where it will stay until replaced with a Navy-owned flag at crew move aboard,” said Mike Butler, CVN 80 construction director. “It is a proud tradition.”

The specific unit the flag sits atop was chosen because it contains steel from the last Enterprise (CVN 65).

“We chose that unit to place the first flag because of the significance and connection to the history of the last Enterprise,” Krininger said.

Stennis Arrives CONTINUED FROM PG 1

“We look forward to continuing our work with the ship’s crew and our 579 vendors across 36 states that provide material and services which brings stability of this industrial base and is critical to our ability to continue to build and maintain the Navy fleet our Navy and nation needs,” West added.

Stennis is the seventh Nimitz-class carrier to undergo this major mid-life availability, representing 35% of all maintenance and modernization completed during its 50year service life. Over the next four years, shipbuilders will perform hull and freeboard blast and paint, repairs to its propellers, sea chests, shafts, and rudders and defueling and refueling of its power plant.

This effort, which will continue through late 2025, will produce a recapitalized carrier capable of supporting current and future warfare

USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) comes into Dry Dock 11 on May 6. Photo by Ashley Cowan

doctrine while continuing to operate as the centerpiece of the Navy fleet and national defense for another 25 years. Watch a time-lapse video of Stennis’ arrival on MyNNS.

5 | 10 | 2021

CURRENTS 3 The NNS Safety Principles – listed below – are a standard set of core values for safety.

• We value human life.

• All injuries are preventable.

• Speak up when you see something unsafe.

• Safety is an everyday action.

• Safety requires both management responsibility and personal ownership.

• We can’t live with deficiencies.

• The best way to control a hazard is to eliminate it.

• Never be satisfied – always strive to improve.

Foremen Jermaine “G” Gaines and Amanda Harris were tasked with developing the NNS Safety Principles. Photo

by Ashley Cowan

Principles Aim to Strengthen Safety Culture Safety should be at the forefront of every shipbuilder’s mind every day. To highlight the importance of this company value, Newport News Shipbuilding has a list of safety principles for all employees.

X36 Foreman Amanda Harris and X31 Foreman Jermaine “G” Gaines developed the NNS Safety Principles while participating in the Environmental Health and Safety (O27) Foreman Rotation. The two foremen combined their own experiences with O27 resources to come up with the list.

“Just as building carriers and submarines requires all hands on deck – so does safety,” Harris said. “I think the NNS Safety Principles are a great way of reminding shipbuilders that it takes a village to accomplish everything we do, and we all have a role that impacts our safety culture.”

Shipbuilders are encouraged to learn the principles and discuss them with each other regularly.

“Ultimately, no job is so important that it cannot be done safely. If we all take these principles to heart and exhibit them each day, we can drastically improve our safety culture,” said Dru Branche, director of Plant Operations. “These basic concepts will protect our shipbuilders and ensure we all return home safe at the end of each day.”

In the coming months, each of the NNS Safety Principles will be highlighted in Currents with examples of shipbuilders who model these principles at work.

“Big Blue” to Get a Fresh Coat of Paint “Big Blue,” Newport News Shipbuilding’s iconic 1,050-metric ton crane in the North Yard, will soon be a bit brighter.

Work has already started to remove old paint. Over the next few weeks, crews will work to repaint the crane, including the “Newport News Shipbuilding” lettering and the NNS and Huntington Ingalls Industries logos.

Photo by Ashley Cowan

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5 | 10 | 2021 “My job was to communicate with the crane operator when the plates were lifted,” said Peatrov Goston (X11), a foreman. “I work with an amazing team. We are the best at what we do.”

As each of the six bow plate assemblies are loaded, they are tack welded into place to create the first bow cylinder of the Columbia pressure hull. Once completed, the overhead crane will load the remaining plates, which make up the final two cylinders, into the fixture. Shipbuilders will then begin welding using an advanced welding trolley system.

Shipbuilders involved in the recent Columbia milestone are pictured in the Joint Manufacturing and Assembly Facility.

Photo by Ashley Cowan

Columbia Bow Assembly Begins Shipbuilders recently completed a major construction milestone for Columbia-class submarine production in Newport News Shipbuilding’s Joint Manufacturing and Assembly Facility (JMAF).

An overhead, 104-ton crane lifted and lowered the first Columbia (SSBN 826) bow plate into a specially-designed segment assembly machine (SAM). The bow plate weighs about 12 tons.

The bow plate assemblies are the heaviest plates installed into the SAMs.

NNS SAFETY REPORT

Compared to figures from April 2020 Year-to-Date Injuries

570 (up 84%)

“The SAM fixtures require high quality parts to be most effective,” said Adam Read (K07), Columbia program manager. “This required the JMAF team to rethink upstream manufacturing, compared to our legacy bow and stern construction processes. These fixtures are a game changer. They have the ability to turn a historical 40-day operation to load and fit all of the bow plates into seven days.”

NNS is participating in the design and construction of Columbia-class submarines, which will replace the current fleet of aging Ohio-class nuclear ballistic missile submarines.

Upcoming Blood Drives at NNS Newport News Shipbuilding is hosting blood drives in support of the American Red Cross.

A time charge will be provided for employees who donate. The Red Cross also will test all blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies as an additional health service.

Blood drives will be held from 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in Bldg. 520-6 (James River Room) on the following dates:

Year-to-Date Injuries with Days Away, Restricted or Transferred

351 (up 54%)

• May 25

• July 7

• June 3

• July 20

• June 9

Safety Task Team Inspection Closure Rate

To schedule an appointment, contact Natasha Eck or Sunny Lee via email.

93% (16% above goal)

COVID -19 VACCINATION REPORTING

Newport News Shipbuilding employees can self-report if they have received a vaccine in the community. It is not mandatory, but the company will get a more accurate picture of vaccinations across the workforce, a major factor in deciding whether to ease restrictions such as mask wearing and social distancing. To record your status, log on to your UPoint account from www.hiibenefits.com. Then click the COVID-19 Self-Reporting Banner at the top of the page and follow instructions. If you received a vaccine at the NNS Vaccination Site, there is no need to self-report.

Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Cases reported last week: 15

Total cases at NNS: 3,538

Total number of NNS employees medically cleared to return to work: 2,852

See case details at nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411.

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CURRENTS 35

AROUND THE YARD CARES Act COVID-19 Reimbursement Survey Begins Huntington Ingalls Industries employees who used Paid Time Off (PTO), Annual Leave (AL), Vacation (VAC) or Paid Personal/Sick Time for COVID-19related reasons from March 15, 2020, through March 28, 2021, could be eligible for reimbursement.

5K Registration Ends Friday Friday, May 14, is the deadline for shipbuilders and their families and friends to sign up for the BeWell for Life 5K. The free virtual event will be held Saturday, May 15, and Sunday, May 16.

Participants can walk or run 3.1 miles on their own on May 15 or 16. Those who post their time and picture on the 5K Facebook page will be entered to win a runners kit, including a fuel belt, Road ID, water bottle and running socks.

Visit quadmedical.redpodium.com/bewellfor-life-5k to register.

Virtual Fitness Classes and Weight Management Coaching Available Join BeWell for Life wellness coordinators for free, virtual workouts from anywhere.

Visit myquadmed.com/hii/virtual-fitnessclasses to see the list of virtual classes and register.

Don’t face weight management challenges alone. A wellness coordinator is ready to help. To learn more and get connected, visit myquadmed.com/hii/guide.

Pictured from left are Dave Bolcar, Christian Mard and Zachary Berggren.

Shipbuilder Steering the Way Christian Mard (E24) recently was honored with a Level One On-the-Spot Ethics award for taking quick action when he noticed an issue that could have led to injury or equipment damage.

Mard was developing a software tool for an aircraft carrier component when he discovered another software parameter had been configured incorrectly. If not corrected, the issue posed a risk to safety and equipment.

When he discovered the issue, Mard immediately called the ship to stop operations of the component. Dave Bolcar, vice president of Engineering and Design, recently met with Mard to thank him for his actions and present the award.

SEEKING SHIPBUILDERS

Visit www.buildyourcareer.com to search for the latest NNS job openings.

Job Title

Req Number

Dept.

Location

Engineer Quality 3 Engineering Technician 3 Work Control SFS Engineering Technician 3 Work Control SFS Engineering Technician 3 Work Control SFS Outside Machinist (Trainee) Outside Machinist (Entry-level) Outside Machinist (Experienced) Refueler Ship Safety Watch

3694 5911 5913 5914 5229 5227 5189 5188 5187

O58 E25 E25 E25 X43 X43 X43 X43 X43

Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News

Employees are encouraged to use MyHR or the “Current HII Employees Job Search” button at www.buildyourcareer.com to apply. The company continues to offer cash bonus awards for referrals to select positions, visit www.huntingtoningalls.com/hii-careers/refer-a-friend for more information.

As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, HII is preparing to submit a claim for COVID-19-related leave costs, which includes hours that employees took from their individual paid leave account balances for COVID-19-related reasons.

If the government approves HII’s request and the company receives reimbursement for leave costs it paid to employees, those employees will be eligible for reimbursement of their paid leave. If the government denies the company’s request, employees and the company will not receive reimbursement.

To determine if employee paid leave qualifies for reimbursement, HII has engaged a private accounting firm, Ernst & Young (EY), to conduct a survey.

All HII employees who took paid leave between March 15, 2020, and March 28, 2021, will receive a letter at their home address from EY with instructions on how to access and complete the survey and how to provide supporting documentation. The survey, which will be open through June 20, 2021, is voluntary, and if an employee elects to not participate, they will not be eligible for reimbursement.

Visit the HII CARES Act Paid Leave Survey website (huntingtoningalls. com/cares-act-survey) for additional information and frequently asked questions.

Please note: This does not apply to shortterm disability payments, quarantine pay, special COVID-19 sick time, or sick leave covered by the Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

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DATEBOOK MAY 11

Learn how to design a full-body exercise routine using correct form and techniques that you can do at home in 10 minutes or less. Attend the BeWell for Life webinar at noon or 4:30 p.m. to jump start your exercise routine. All fitness levels are encouraged to attend. Register at www.myquadmed.com/BeWell.

MAY 12

Join the Engineering & Design Change Agent Team from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session (VLS) on CliftonStrengths Spotlight: Strengths Superpowers.

You have your top five strengths, now what? Well, those strengths have the potential to be your greatest superpowers when you invest in them properly. We’ll walk you through some ways you can move your strengths to a more mature form where you are using them to benefit others. Sign up on MyNNS. No charge is provided. For questions and concerns, email E&D Connections.

MAY 13

The Project Management Shipbuilder Association (PMSA) will host a lunchtime presentation on Earned Value Management with Brian Wolfe, director of Business Management, from 12 until 1 p.m. via WebEx. The event is open to all employees by reservation only. Sign up on the PMSA website on MyNNS. For questions, contact Dennis Diones, or email PMSA@hii-nns.com. No charge is provided.

MAY 13

The Asian Shipbuilders Including All Nationalities (ASIAN) employee resource group will host its annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month event from 4:30 until 5:30 p.m. This year’s focus will be on “The Asian American Experience.” The virtual WebEx event will feature talks from fellow shipbuilders, discussion breakout rooms, trivia, history and exciting door prizes. Prizes include “Dinner on Julia!,” executive mentorship sessions, YETI drinkware, and ASIAN swag. This event is open to all shipbuilders.

To RSVP, email ASIAN_ERG@hii-nns.com or contact Emmylou Mosley (E33) at 688-1175 or via email.

MAY 13

The Spear and Gear Toastmasters Club invites shipbuilders to meet online at 6 p.m. with club members to hear speech presentations, participate in table topics and hear speech evaluations to develop public speaking, listening and leadership skills. Email spearandgeartoastmastersclub@gmail.com with a personal email address or contact Michael Miller (E37) or Jamar Skyles (E03) via email.

MAY 14

Join author Thomas Heinrich and John V. Quarstein, director emeritus of the USS Monitor Center, at noon for a virtual lecture titled “The Birthplace of American Aircraft Carriers.” The first keel-up aircraft carrier, USS Ranger, was laid down at Newport News Shipbuilding in 1931. Learn about the development of aircraft carriers in Hampton Roads and the critical role area shipyards played in producing the fleet that defeated the Axis powers around the globe. Visit MarinersMuseum.org to register.

MAY 18 AND 19

Are you at risk for Type 2 diabetes? PreventT2 is a yearlong, group support program designed to prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes for individuals with prediabetes or those at risk of developing diabetes. Led by a trained lifestyle coach, you will learn the skills needed to make lasting lifestyle changes, including losing weight, being physically active and managing stress. To learn more and to register for virtual sessions that begin May 18 and 19, visit www.myquadmed.com/hii/T2.

MAY 19

Looking to improve your finances? Sign up for SmartPath’s budgeting webinar at noon to learn how to track your money and create an effective budget. Visit www.joinsmartpath.com/hii/classes to register.

MAY 19

Join Engineering & Design and the Project Management Shipbuilder Association (PMSA) from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session (VLS) on PMSA. PMSA’s mission is to introduce and maintain a companywide approach to project and program management by developing people and enhancing their project management skills in accordance with industry leading Project Management Institute (PMI) standards.

Sign up on MyNNS. No charge is provided. For questions and concerns, email E&D Connections.

MAY 26

Join Engineering & Design and Heather Westmoreland from the iDS Communications Team from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session (VLS) on Organizational Change Management (OCM). Every organization will, at some point undergo a transition or change. OCM is a framework for managing the effects of organizational change by helping stakeholders through the commitment curve, applying the five work stream toolkit and reducing fear and frustration. Sign up on MyNNS. No charge is provided. For questions and concerns, email E&D Connections.

MAY 27

Spear and Gear Toastmasters Club invites shipbuilders to meet online at 6 p.m. for the second joint Zoom meeting with Langley Toastmasters club. Hear club members speech presentations, participate in table topics and hear speech evaluations to develop public speaking, listening and leadership skills. Email spearandgeartoastmastersclub@gmail.com with a personal email address or contact Michael Miller (E37) or Jamar Skyles (E03) via email.

JUNE 4

Join Marcus W. Robbins, Norfolk Naval Shipyard command historian and archivist, at noon for a virtual lecture titled “From Norfolk to Normandy: Ships from the Old Norfolk Navy Yard at D-Day.” He will share stories of the men and women at Portsmouth’s old Norfolk Navy Yard, and how their work helped take the fight “Over There.” Register at MarinersMuseum.org.

JUNE 10

The Spear and Gear Toastmasters Club invites shipbuilders to meet online at 6 p.m. with club members to hear speech presentations, participate in table topics and hear speech evaluations to develop public speaking, listening and leadership skills. Email spearandgeartoastmastersclub@gmail.com with a personal email address or contact Michael Miller (E37) or Jamar Skyles (E03) via email.

JUNE 11

Join the Apprentice Athletic Club for the 16th annual F. Farrell Sanders Builder Backer Golf Classic at Ford’s Colony Country Club. All proceeds benefit Builder athletics.

The cost is $85 per individual or $340 per foursome. Entry fee includes green fee, carts, range balls, virtual scoring, lunch, and Builder Backer gift. Contact Mark Tomlin (O22) at 757-303-8947 to sign up through May 28. Check in 30 minutes prior to 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. Go Builders!

COMPANY STORE TO HOST POP - UP SALE

NNS Spear & Gear, Newport News Shipbuilding’s online company store, will host a pop-up sale from 6 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on June 16 outside Bldg. 520. All items – including a wide variety of company-logoed apparel, products and merchandise – will be 50% off marked prices. Shop online 24/7 with free shipping at www.nnsSpearAndGear.com.

Please note: the 50% off sale applies only to items at the pop-up, not items in the online store.