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A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
Photo by Ashley Cowan
Time Capsule Installed on Kennedy Shipbuilders welded a time capsule last month inside the flight deck control room of John F. Kennedy (CVN 79). The time capsule contains coins that were placed under the 588-ton island by NNS and Navy leaders during a ceremonial island landing event in May 2019. “As shipbuilders, and as a project team, this entire ship is our gift to the future. We have our hands all over this and our hearts all in it,” said Dave White, CVN 79 topside construction director. He called the time capsule “an opportunity to send a message to the future warfighters who will serve on this ship.” In addition to coins from the 2019 mast-stepping ceremony during the island landing, the time capsule includes a letter from Caroline Kennedy, former President John F. Kennedy’s daughter who serves as the ship’s sponsor, to Capt. Todd Marzano, the aircraft carrier’s first commanding officer. Mast-stepping recognizes an ancient maritime custom of placing a coin at the base of a mast of a ship under construction to bring good fortune.
The time capsule also includes other letters to future ship leaders, miscellaneous leadership coins and memorabilia – including a face mask to represent the COVID-19 pandemic. John Leigh (X11) and Cyrus Canty (X18) fitted and welded the time capsule during the ceremony. “I’ve been working on the island most of my career in the shipyard, so it was actually very important for me to be a part of this ceremony today,” said Leigh, who has worked at NNS for about five years. A shipbuilder for 10 years, Canty said he looks forward to seeing Kennedy join the Navy’s fleet. “Participating in this event means a lot to me. I feel like I’m a part of history,” he said. Speaking just before the time capsule was placed and welded into CVN 79 by Canty and Leigh, Marzano – whose aviator wings are included in the time capsule – said serving as Kennedy’s first commanding officer was “an absolute honor and privilege.” CONTINUED ON PG 2
Benefits Annual Enrollment Deadline Extended Until June 30 In keeping with Newport News Shipbuilding’s newly ratified labor agreement with United Steelworkers Local 8888, all USW-represented employees who choose to have HII medical coverage are required to actively enroll in medical and prescription plans. The May 6 annual enrollment deadline has been extended until June 30. Those who do not enroll by June 30 will not have medical coverage for the upcoming plan year, which starts July 1. Call the HII Benefits Center at 1-877-216-3222 to enroll.
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Time Capsule Installed on Kennedy
BeWell For Life 5K
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Newport News Shipbuilding employees, family and friends braved rain showers to participate in this year’s BeWell for Life 5K. The in-person race was held Saturday, and there was a virtual option to participate Saturday or Sunday.
“It’s always an honor when I get to participate in these milestone events, which signify great progress as we prepare to deliver this ship to the fleet so it can serve our nation for many generations to come,” he said. Earlier this month, Capt. Colin P. Day assumed command of CVN 79 from Marzano. The time capsule is set to be opened during Kennedy’s mid-life refueling and complex overhaul. Watch a video of the time capsule ceremony on MyNNS.
Shipbuilders Complete Major Evolution on USS Columbus Shipbuilders recently completed a major evolution on USS Columbus (SSN 762) when they lifted and installed the upper rudder. The Los Angeles-class submarine is currently undergoing overhaul work at Newport News Shipbuilding. “The rudder load was the first major critical path evolution for Columbus. We had to overcome many challenges in order to get to the point of actually loading the upper rudder,” said Construction Supervisor Kyle Davis (O64). “It was a good chance to showcase the skills and abilities of our mechanics on the deckplate.”
Open Interviews for Fitters and Welders
Newport News Shipbuilding Talent Acquisition is hosting open interviews for entry-level and trainee fitter (X11) and welder (X18) positions May 19, May 25 and June 1 at the NNS Employment Office, located at NetCenter (Suite 176). Job seekers may stop by between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. for the opportunity to apply on-site, interview and receive an “on-the-spot” job offer, if qualified. Job seekers may also apply in advance to reqs 18810, 18811, 18845 or 18846 at buildyourcareer.com. These positions pay $21+ per hour, no experience is required and training is provided. They may be eligible for $500 sign-on bonuses and up to $1,500 for relocation. Employees are encouraged to share these opportunities. Current NNS employees who refer a trades candidate who is hired could earn a $1,000 employee referral cash bonus award. Visit hii.com/careers/refer-a-friend to learn more.
One challenge the team faced was a dockside crane that was unexpectedly out of service for the entire evolution. That meant the team – which included X43 and X36 shipbuilders – had to bring in multiple mobile cranes to complete the work. Despite difficulties, shipbuilders were able to finish the job ahead of schedule. “The team did an excellent job preparing and working together to load the upper rudder,” said X43 Foreman Jacob Jallo. “The successful job performance was a testament to the effective communication and hard work commitment shown by the team to safely load the upper rudder.” Watch a time-lapse video of the rudder lift and installation on MyNNS.
Summer interns who started this week attend a Monday morning orientation session.
Summer Interns Begin Arriving at NNS This year’s cohort of summer interns began arriving at Newport News Shipbuilding this week. The 100 interns represent 39 colleges and universities. Divisions hosting interns this summer include Business Transformation and Technology, Contracts and Pricing, Engineering and Design, Nuclear Propulsion, Quality, Manufacturing and Industrial Manufacturing and Systems Engineering, Plant Operations and Trades.
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AROUND THE YARD Shipbuilders Support Relay For Life Newport News Shipbuilding teams raised more than $20,000 for the 2022 Peninsula Relay For Life in support of the fight against cancer. NNS donations will help fund groundbreaking cancer research and patient care programs that can make a difference in communities like ours. During the May 1 in-person event at the Hampton Coliseum, attendees walked a path decorated with names of loved ones in support of those who have been touched by or lost to cancer. Over 50 NNS volunteers greeted participants throughout the event. The NNS Relay For Life team would like to thank donors, volunteers, participants and its executive sponsor, Gary Fuller, vice president of Fleet Support Programs, for their contributions. “Once again, NNS shipbuilders were out in full force in support of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life event,” Fuller said. “The event was extremely successful due to the preparation, dedication and commitment in support of the cause. This year’s in-person event was made possible by volunteers and teams that supported across the value stream with time and donations. Thank
Shipbuilders show support for the Relay For Life during the May 1 event at the Hampton Coliseum.
you to all who participated.” Visit www.RelayForLife.org/NNS through July 31 to make a donation. To purchase a limited edition NNS Relay For Life T-shirt for $10, contact Jenn Cherry (O22).
New LX Certification Rolling Out for SharePoint Site Owners
Technical Graduate Programs
Newport News Shipbuilding is enacting changes in LX training requirements for SharePoint site owners. Those who have been identified as someone who currently holds full-control permissions on any SharePoint site – not including My Sites – will receive more details in the upcoming weeks about how to attain site owner certification. This certification is mandatory and shall be completed for any new or existing site owners to acquire or retain this permission level within SharePoint.
Newport News Shipbuilding has partnered with The George Washington University, Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University and The Catholic University of America for seven graduate degree programs.
These changes will reinforce a site owner’s ability to protect information within their area(s) of responsibility. For more information, reach out to your SharePoint division representative.
These programs address NNS core business, identified discipline challenge areas, and known customer technology gaps in existence today and in the future. Information sessions for the next cohorts will be held at 2 p.m. and at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, May 19, in the VASCIC auditorium. University representatives will be on-site.
COVID-19 Cases Increasing in Virginia Newport News Shipbuilding continues to monitor COVID-19 locally and nationwide. Although the Hampton Roads region is in the lowest COVID-19 community level according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), counties throughout Virginia are seeing an increase in cases. Review the CDC’s map of Virginia for a breakdown of case rates per county or city. Due to a significant increase in cases in upstate New York, the Kesselring Site recently reinstated face mask requirements for all employees and visitors. While NNS has not reinstated a mask requirement, there has been a fluctuation in recent cases at the shipyard, with early May’s case rates matching highs not seen since February. Wearing a face mask is encouraged to slow the spread of the virus, especially for those who are unvaccinated, immunocompromised or at risk for severe illness.
BLOOD DRIVES
Newport News Shipbuilding is hosting blood drives in support of the American Red Cross. 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: • May 24 • June 1 • June 2 To schedule an appointment, contact Natasha Eck or Topaz Artis via email.
Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Active cases: 12
See case details at nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411.
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DATEBOOK MAY 16- JUNE 3
The Generational Integration Focus Team (GIFT) is partnering with the Salvation Army of the Virginia Peninsula to host 25 children in the Summer Day Camp Program. Shipbuilders can support the effort by donating snacks listed on the flyer in a drop-off box in the Bldg. 520 lobby. For more information, contact Paula Young at 688-7634 or Cassandra Bonner at 534-3416.
MAY 17
Women in Shipbuilding Enterprise (WiSE) will host a Leadership – Improvement through Empowerment Event from 12 until 12:30 p.m. Dr. Latitia McCane, director of Education at The Apprentice School, will be the speaker. This WebEx event is open to all NNS employees. No charge will be provided. Register for this event on MyNNS. Email WiSEhamptonroads@hii-nns.com for more information.
MAY 25
Join the Enable Our Workforce Virtual Roadshow lunch and learn from 12 until 12:30 via WebEx. The lunch and learn will focus on the impacts of employee well-being in the workplace. Register on MyNNS. For those unable to attend the event, a six-minute animated video (closed caption) will be played on monitors during lunch shifts throughout the yard.
MAY 28
The Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG) is teaming up with the local American Legion Post 25 and other local organizations to place American flags on the tombstones of our veterans at Peninsula Memorial Park, located at 12750 Warwick Blvd. in Newport News, from 7 a.m. until noon. If you and your family can spare one to two hours, please come out and show your support. Register for a shift at nns.yourcause.com. Volunteers can also sign up to help remove flags from 7 a.m. until noon on May 31. Contact Michael Altrogge via email for further details.
NSRP Request for Proposals
JUNE 4
FitNNS will attend a Lionsbridge FC game at 7 p.m. at TowneBank Stadium. Contact Kat Henry (X74) via email or at 757-586-7956 for a 20% off coupon code.
JUNE 10
The 17th annual F. Farrell Sanders Apprentice Athletic Club Golf Tournament will be held at Ford’s Colony Country Club. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and there will be a 10 a.m. shotgun start. To learn more and sign up, visit https://one.bidpal.net/aacgolf/welcome. Contact Kimberly Jordan-Dillard via email or at 757-371-4127 for more information.
JUNE 15
FitNNS and SHIPs Network will host a night at the Peninsula Pilots baseball game at 7 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium. Contact Kat Henry (X74) via email or at 757-586-7956 to register.
The National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP) is soliciting research announcement (RA) summary proposals. The NSRP is a collaboration of 10 U.S. shipyards with the mission of managing and focusing national shipbuilding and ship repair research and development funding on technologies that will reduce the cost of ships to the U.S. Navy and other national security customers. The NSRP is looking for projects that will: •
Reduce total ownership cost of ships.
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Improve quality in ship design, construction and repair through continuous improvement of advanced technologies, processes and data management applications.
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Enhance workforce excellence.
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Reduce cost associated with ship systems integration during ship design, construction, modernization and maintenance.
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Increase materials and process commonality across the shipbuilding and ship repair enterprise to reduce costs.
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Identification of best practices from all sources regarding cybersecurity technologies and their appropriate application to shipbuilding and repair systems and equipment.
JULY 30
Join The Apprentice School Student Association at Kingsmill Resort at 7:30 a.m. for its first golf tournament in support of breast cancer awareness. The entry fee will be $100 per person, with teams of four. Each team must include at least one apprentice or alumnus to participate. Lunch will be provided along with raffles and giveaways. We hope to see you on the course. RSVP at ApprenticeStudents.com/events. For more information, contact Jessica Lawson via email or at 757-703-6090.
NNS SAFETY REPORT
Compared to figures from April 2021
JUNE 1
Join Shipbuilders Together Realizing Inclusion, Diversity, & Equality (STRIDE) and Ingalls Shipbuilders Equality Alliance (ISEA) for an engaging panel event on gender, sex and sexual orientation from 4:30 until 5:30 pm via Zoom. Panelists from NNS, Ingalls and local community organizations will discuss topics ranging from terminology to current events. Register on MyNNS. Contact J. Ariel Matthews via email for further details.
Year-to-Date Injuries
388 (down 32%) Year-to-Date Injuries with Days Away, Restricted or Transferred
330 (down 6%) Safety Task Team Inspection Closure Rate
95% (6% above goal)
SEEKING SHIPBUILDERS Job Title Req Number Dept. Fitter (Trainee, Entry-level & 18811, 18810, X11 Experienced) 18808, 18809 Manager Radiation Safety 1 20687 E85 Radiation Safety Analyst 3 18586 E85 Welder (Trainee, Entry-level & 18846, 18845, X18 Experienced) 18844, 18841
Visit www.buildyourcareer.com to search for the latest NNS job openings.
Employee Referral Cash Bonus Eligible
Remote Work Considered No
Not Eligible Not Eligible Eligible
No No No
All positions are located in Newport News unless otherwise noted.
Employees are encouraged to use MyHR or the "Current HII Employees Job Search" button at www.buildyourcareer.com to apply. Visit www.huntingtoningalls.com/careers/refer-a-friend to learn more about the cash bonus awards for referrals to select positions.
RA projects have no budget limit, can last up to two years and require 50% cost share. Teaming is encouraged. Awards of $6 to $8 million are anticipated. Potential proposers are encouraged to review the RA proposal process. Visit nsrp.org for information regarding this solicitation, specific focus areas and the RA summary proposals. Summary proposals are due to the NSRP by noon on July 18. NNS associates interested in developing a summary proposal for this solicitation should contact Elmer Dickens (E32) at 688-9079. All NNS project ideas must be submitted through the E30 R&D database. Proposers will be notified in December of the decision regarding selection and funding of proposed projects. Contracts will be awarded in the March 2023 time frame.