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A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
Photo by Ashley Cowan
Historic Barge Departs NNS
Shipbuilders said goodbye to the historical Surface Ship Support Barge (SSSB) on April 18.
the SSSB remained in Dry Dock 10. Shipbuilders stowed the barge in Dry Dock 2 from 2016 to 2021 for inactivation work.
The barge supported nuclear refueling and defueling at Newport News Shipbuilding for more than 50 years. Past customers include: Long Beach (CGN 9), Enterprise (CVN 65), USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).
Jim Calabrese (X72), deputy program manager of aircraft carrier and submarine inactivations, said SSSB’s recent inactivation and tow required teamwork for success. “This evolution helps pave the way for Nimitz-class inactivation and disposal operations,” he said. “It’s a bittersweet closure to a historic chapter for the Naval Nuclear Power Program. We’ve said farewell to an old trusted friend that served us well.”
Don Marrow (E82) helped discover early processes for SSSB. “My role was to write procedures and tech manuals for SSSB,” he said. “It has an interesting history.” The SSSB started its life as the mid-body section of the SS Cantigny, an oil tanker built during World War II. While at NNS,
A new facility replaced the SSSB to support refueling and defueling aircraft carriers. A federal contractor is responsible for dismantling and disposing the SSSB.
Improving the Process The shipbuilders responsible for installing the massive elevators that will move aircraft on John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) faced quite a learning curve. However, they were able to learn as they worked and gain efficiencies that will make the job safer and faster on future carriers. CVN 79 may be the second Ford-class carrier, but it is the first to have an electric aircraft elevator (EACE) system. Older ships used hydraulic elevators. “It’s a smaller footprint as far as machinery,” said Construction Supervisor Adam Horak (X01). “The capacity of the elevator is the same, but there’s a reduction in operation time compared to Ford, and it still meets the sortie rate.”
CONTINUED ON PG 2
An aircraft elevator is installed on John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) in 2019.
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6 | 1 | 2021 to take advantage of things like crane service, according to X43 General Foreman Matthew Obergfell and X43 Foreman Mark Neal. “Our goal is to improve the process for the future,” Neal said. “If we go with the plan of having the elevators built on the platen before we load them, it will be a lot safer and it will take a lot less time. Those are the big things for us moving forward.” He also credited Randall Nelson (E24) and David Swain (E24) for their support throughout the installation process. Neal said his crew came into the project with very little experience, but said they did “an outstanding job.”
Shipbuilders gained efficiencies as they installed cables for CVN 79’s aircraft elevators. Photo by Ashley Cowan
Improving the Process CONTINUED FROM PG 1
Shipbuilders learned and became more efficient as they moved through the process of installing the three elevators on CVN 79. The latest phase of elevator construction involved installing the cables that support and drive the platform. It took X36 and X43 shipbuilders about 30 days to install the cables on the No. 3 elevator – which was the first installed on the ship. The last elevator was cabled in about 21 days. Looking forward to Enterprise (CVN 80) and beyond, shipbuilders may be able to cut the installation time in half. That’s partly because the team found they can set the machinery on the platen. That’s much earlier than they could with the old elevators and allows them
Remembering the Tragedy in Virginia Beach May 31 marked the second anniversary of the mass shooting that took the lives of 12 people in Virginia Beach. Newport News Shipbuilding continues to stand with those impacted by this tragedy. NNS employees are encouraged to watch “Run, Hide, Fight,” a video produced by the city of Houston and the Department of Homeland Security. The video is available on MyNNS and the NNS to Go app and demonstrates how to survive an active shooter event. To help prevent an active shooter event, shipbuilders should: • Be vigilant. Recognize and report when people are “off” – agitated or hostile. • Speak up. If you have a gut feeling that something isn’t right, report it. It’s not about getting someone in trouble; it’s about helping someone who may be in trouble. • Immediately report any weapons on NNS property – including in parking lots – to Security at 380-2222. • Remember that NNS employees and their families have access to free, confidential mental health professionals through Huntington Ingalls Industries’ HERO Program. Visit hiihero.com or call 1-855-400-9185.
The X36 shipbuilders who run the cables that move the elevators up and down also gained efficiencies they plan to carry forward, according to X36 Foreman Jimmy Key. On CVN 80, the team hopes to have all of the elevators operational and in the testing phase before the ship leaves dry dock. Operational testing on the elevators on CVN 79 – which left dry dock in December 2019 – is planned for later this year.
NNS Updates COVID-19 Protocol for Gatherings Newport News Shipbuilding has updated its COVID-19 protocols for on-site meetings and classes with regard to mask wearing, social distancing and other protective measures. The new policy from Environmental, Health and Safety is available on MyNNS.
Hurricane Season Begins June 1 marks the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs through Nov. 30. In the event inclement weather threatens the region, shipbuilders should call the Newport News Shipbuilding Employee Information Phone Line at 1-877-871-2058 or check the NNS to Go app for information regarding the status of shipyard operations. In addition to the phone line, employees are reminded of other NNS communication channels, including company email, social media (HII Facebook and Twitter pages and NNS President Jennifer Boykin’s Facebook page), NNS websites and Send Word Now.
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AROUND THE YARD Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month As we celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month in June, take time to not only recognize the great achievements and innovations of the LGBTQ community throughout our nation’s history, but also their significant impact on the success of Newport News Shipbuilding. Look for posters featuring Hampton Roads Pride’s 2021 theme – Revive Your Pride – across NNS during the month. Additional coverage is available in the Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion section of the NNS to Go app.
Shipbuilders Encouraged to Support Relay For Life Danielle Lanich (O43) and her family faced many encounters with cancer within the past six years. She lost two uncles to cancer. One uncle was diagnosed with colon cancer and the other with prostate cancer. Three years ago her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Yet, after a mastectomy, removed lymph nodes, chemotherapy and radiation Lanich’s mother has been free of cancer for three years. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented Lanich from visiting her mother in Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving. Through all the adversity, Lanich and her family have remained strong. “We mourn the loss of my uncles but celebrate the lives that they had. I will forever be grateful that my mother is still here. She is the bravest and strongest woman I know,” Lanich said.
Lanich has participated for the Relay For Life in the past with her church. Newport News Shipbuilding is a sponsor of the 2021 Peninsula Relay For Life, which will be held from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. on June 26 at Hampton Roads Academy. Visit the Relay For Life website on MyNNS or www.RelayForLife.org/NNS to donate, register, or join NNS’ team. For more information about registration and donations, contact Amy Prillaman (O93) or Jenn Cherry (O22) via email. Relay For Life donations help the American Cancer Society fund a range of services including research, education and treatment counseling for cancer patients, their families and medical professionals around the world.
REMINDER: Employees Must Update Tobacco-Use Status During annual enrollment in April, United Steelworkers, guards and salaried employees were set to “tobacco user” for Huntington Ingalls Industries medical benefits. Employees who do not use tobacco or have completed a tobacco cessation program must update their tobacco-use status to “tobacco
free” by June 30 to save $660 annually on their medical insurance for the upcoming benefit plan year. Employees can update their tobacco-use status online by logging into UPoint from www.hiibenefits.com or by calling the Huntington Ingalls Benefits Center at 1-877-216-3222.
Myth: COVID-19 vaccines are not licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and that’s cause for concern. Facts: The FDA regulates vaccines and has approved the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines through an emergency use authorization (EUA). That allows them to help large numbers of people in a public health crisis when the need is urgent. Drug manufacturers are conducting additional studies toward final FDA approval and updating the FDA on their results. The pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was evidence of this thorough process. While a EUA is different from an FDA license, it still requires meeting rigorous scientific standards, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Cases reported last week: 13
Total cases at NNS: 3,569
Total number of NNS employees medically cleared to return to work: 2,932
See case details at nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411.
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DATEBOOK JUNE 2
Join Engineering & Design and Jeff Kettler from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session (VLS) on MyVideo. MyVideo is a content management system much like YouTube. It allows you to search, share and like videos. You can also add videos to your favorites, leave comments on videos and link videos to SharePoint sites. Sign up on MyNNS. For questions and concerns, email E&D Connections.
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 9
Join Engineering & Design and the Corporate Citizenship Team (K18) from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session (VLS) on Corporate Citizenship. Corporate Citizenship is how the company exercises its rights, obligations, privileges and overall corporate responsibility within our local and global environments. This organization facilitates SEEKnns, the company’s NNS Gives platform, School Tools Drive and more. Sign up on MyNNS. For questions and concerns, email E&D Connections.
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 14
The Engagement and Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) offices invite shipbuilders to join their monthly ED&I Together Strong Life Unites Panel Discussion Series: Creating a Path from Hope to Change from 4:30 until 6 p.m. via Zoom. Panelists include Susan Ceglinski, Juanita Bivens, John Witherspoon, D.A. Wolkowich, Carlos Moulds and Emmylou Mosley. This event is open to all NNS employees. No charge will be provided. Register on MyNNS.
BLOOD DRIVES
Newport News Shipbuilding is hosting the following blood drives in support of the American Red Cross. A time charge will be provided for employees who donate. 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: • June 3 • June 9 • July 7
• July 20 • Aug. 4 • Aug. 11
To schedule an appointment, contact Natasha Eck or Sunny Lee via email.
JUNE 16
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. 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.
JUNE 17
Shipbuilders Together Realizing Inclusion, Diversity and Equality (STRIDE) and the Ingalls Shipbuilders Equality Alliance (ISEA) invite shipbuilders to participate in “Allyship Building,” a virtual panel discussion and education seminar from 4:30 until 5:30 p.m. Join shipbuilders from NNS, Ingalls, and the HII corporate office as they examine the topic of ally-ship from different angles and share personal experiences. Register on MyNNS to learn, ask questions, and become a better ally to fellow shipbuilders. The audience will be invited to ask questions at the end of the event. Contact J. Ariel Matthews (X74) for more information.
JUNE 26
Newport News Shipbuilding and BayPort Credit Union are sponsoring the Peninsula Relay For Life Drive-Thru Luminaria Event from 6:30 until 9:30 p.m. at Hampton Roads Academy. Luminarias will be lit to honor cancer survivors and caregivers or in remembrance of those lost to cancer. These flames burn during the event to serve as a reminder of the purpose of Relay For Life. Luminarias will be $10 for one bag or $25 for three bags. Visit www.RelayforLife.org/NNS to donate, register or join our team.
Pictured from left are Bryan Caccavale, Erica Dover, Charles Owusu and Daniel Pierce.
Shipbuilders Steering the Way Erica Dover (O45) and Charles Y. Owusu (O45) were recently honored with Level One On-the-Spot Ethics Awards for coming to the assistance of a fellow shipbuilder. When Dover and Owusu noticed a shipbuilder was experiencing concerning symptoms, they called the emergency number and stayed with the employee until help arrived. Because of their actions, the employee was able to receive needed medical attention within minutes. Bryan Caccavale, vice president of Material, Manufacturing and Plant Operations, met with Dover and Owusu to present their awards and thank them for their actions.
SAVE THE DAY BY SAVING ENERGY
You can help reduce the unnecessary use of energy at Newport News Shipbuilding and help make our workplace more energy efficient. Shipbuilder McKenzie Mott always makes sure to secure hatches and boundaries in climatecontrolled spaces. View the poster featuring Mott on MyNNS.
SEEKING SHIPBUILDERS
Visit www.buildyourcareer.com to search for the latest NNS job openings.
Job Title
Req Number
Dept.
Location
Database Administrator 3 Engineer 3 Engineer Electrical 3 Engineer Electro-mechanical 4 Engineer Software 3 HII-Mechanical – Foreman (Machinist) HII-Mechanical – Metrology Technician 2 NDT Production Trainer 1 Nuc Qual Inspector 2 (2nd Shift) Nuc Qual Inspector 2 (3rd Shift)
4175 6270 1353 4528 802, 804 5422 3397 4234 5923 5929
O67 O05 E70 E70 E44 N960 N930 O38 O39 O39
Newport News 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.