Aug. 29, 2022

8 l 29 l 2022

A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding

Photo by Ashley Cowan

NNS Celebrates Keel Laying for Enterprise (CVN 80) Newport News Shipbuilding celebrated the ceremonial keel laying of aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVN 80) Saturday, Aug. 27.

U.S. Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky are the ship’s sponsors.

Ledecky attended in person, while Biles participated via video, as the pair marked the important construction milestone.

During the ceremony, welders Ephony King and Jonathan Rishor welded Biles’ and Ledecky’s initials onto steel plates that will be permanently affixed to the ship, signifying the sponsors’ enduring

relationship with the shipbuilders and crew.

Charles Echols Jr., manager of Production Planning and Scheduling, sang the national anthem during the ceremony. Gene VanZandt, manager of Design Engineering, gave the invocation. Mike Williams, lead rigger, and Charlie Holloway, crane operator, led the ceremonial keel lift of a CVN 80 unit into the dry dock.

NNS President Jennifer Boykin spoke highly of the skilled shipbuilders constructing Enterprise, highlighting their

commitment to the Navy and the nation as the only shipyard capable of building nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.

“These hardworking women and men take 100,000 tons of steel and technology and make it not only float, but serve as home, workplace, and shield for our Navy’s sailors,” Boykin told the crowd.

“Shipbuilding takes discipline, precision, and an unrelenting drive for excellence, which we can never let falter because our sailors and their families depend on us.”

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Shipbuilders Keep Critical Work on Schedule When vendor issues delayed delivery of critical electrical penetrations for Enterprise (CVN 80), X43 and X18 shipbuilders sprang into action to keep work on schedule. Their actions garnered a visit and personal thank you from Newport News Shipbuilding President Jennifer Boykin.

The electrical penetrations for CVN 80 bulkheads were to be

installed before the bulkheads were moved into the dry dock.

“We’ve had to scramble to get as many of these penetrations installed as we could because they were showing up in masses a couple of weeks or a few days before we were scheduled to take that bulkhead to the dock,” said Superintendent Joe Loch.

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NNS Celebrates Keel Laying for Enterprise (CVN 80) CONTINUED FROM PG 1

Boykin also recognized all the veterans in attendance from previous U.S. Navy ships that have been named Enterprise, including CV 6 and CVN 65, both built at NNS. CVN 80 will be the ninth U.S. Navy vessel to carry on the name Enterprise. The most recent, CVN 65, was the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in history. Already, 20,000 pounds of steel from CVN 65 have been incorporated into modules for CVN 80. When fully constructed, more than 35,000 pounds of steel from CVN 65 will live on in CVN 80, ensuring the Enterprise legacy continues.

The third Ford-class carrier, CVN 80 is also the first of a two-carrier block buy for the Navy, with work also underway at NNS on the second, Doris Miller (CVN 81). Enterprise is the first aircraft carrier not only designed digitally, but

The 688-ton ceremonial keel unit was lifted into the dry dock during Saturday’s ceremony. Photo by Chris Rose

also being built digitally using visual work instructions on laptops and tablets rather than paper drawings.

A video of the ceremony and additional information about CVN 80 is available at HII.com/CVN80.

As they waited for materials to arrive, shipbuilders completed prep work. Once materials were in hand, they worked extended hours and weekends to complete installation work that would normally have taken about a month in just two weeks. On dayshift, X43 shipbuilders installed the penetrations, with X18 tacking and QID inspections. X18 shipbuilders on second and third shift did the brunt of the welding and played an important role in the overall success.

NNS President Jennifer Boykin, right, met with some of the shipbuilders who worked as part of the installation team.

Shipbuilders Keep Critical Work on Schedule CONTINUED FROM PG 1

Heather Pearson (X43), who is part of the installation team, created a spreadsheet to help track materials as they came in and where they were in the installation process.

Although it seemed overwhelming, the team pulled together to complete the work.

“You’ve got to trust your team and know their strengths,” she said.

The electrical penetrations, which can weigh as much as 80 pounds each, can be installed in the dry dock, but it is a more cumbersome process.

X43 Foreman Scott Mooneyham estimates it takes about four times as much effort to install them in the dry dock versus in the shop.

Boykin and other NNS leaders were grateful for the team’s dedication and success. “The team was up against the deadline. They had to work things more efficiently and quicker than they ever have in the past, and they did an outstanding job,” Loch said.

DCSA Audit Canceled The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) Audit previously scheduled for the week of Sept. 12 has been canceled. The audit will be rescheduled at a later date. Please continue performing self inspections and readiness processes for a successful audit.

Audit preparation resources are available on the O15 Security Compliance website, including audit FAQs. For more information, email NNSSecCompliancePrg@hii-nns.com.

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AROUND THE YARD The Apprentice School Football Team Ready to Kick Off 2022 Season As electrician apprentice Charles “Nick” Pierce enters his final season as a tight end on The Apprentice School football team, he is grateful for the unique experience and how it will impact the rest of his life.

“Being an athlete and working full time at Newport News Shipbuilding prepares you for all that life can throw your way.

Getting up at 4:30 a.m. and spending 80% of your day away from your home creates a work ethic and habits that transfer to every aspect of life and to our job,” he said. “Most athletes who make it through four years of sports and work will exhibit important sought-after skills on the job such as punctuality, precision, organization and time management.”

In addition to the normal pressures of being a shipbuilder, student and athlete, the COVID-19 pandemic and an injury last year that required surgery and time away from

work brought more challenges. But Pierce and the entire team were able to overcome and are ready to give their all on the field this season.

“My expectations going into my final season are to leave a lasting impact,” Pierce said. “I would like to leave the athletic program in a better state than when I came in. Another strong point of emphasis is leadership. Sharpening my leadership skills throughout this last season will prepare me and the team for whatever challenge we face along the way.”

He encourages fellow apprentices and shipbuilders to support the team this fall.

The Builders kick off the regular season Sept. 3 at Averett University. The team’s first home game is Sept. 10 against Brevard College. See the full season schedule on MyNNS or visit GoBuilders.com for more information.

Charles “Nick” Pierce is in his final season on The Apprentice School football team

As a reminder, The Apprentice School Football Team Shop is open online at https://bsnteamsports.com until Sept. 1. The access code is ASFB6.

NOTICE: Security Policy Change Security Compliance Programs (O15) reminds employees that as of Aug. 24, Security Executive Agent Directive (SEAD) 3 mandated reporting requirements for all cleared personnel to report personal foreign travel.

SFA and CFA Join Forces to Support School Tools Drive During the 2022 School Tools Drive, the Engagement Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) team for Structural Fabrication and Assembly (SFA) collected triple the amount of school supplies donated during the 2021 drive.

This year, SFA combined forces with Component Fabrication and Assembly to support the school supply drive like never before. Through bake sales, hot dog sales and relentless efforts to spread awareness of the drive, ED&I champions Angela Bryant, Jason Roach and Charles Wilson led their teams to raise over $4,000 in cash donations and fill 90 boxes with much-needed school supplies. These supplies are being delivered to thousands of students across the area as they begin a new school year. Look for companywide School Tools Drive donation totals in an upcoming edition of Currents.

A Security News Flash operationalizes the process for Newport News Shipbuilding and there is an automated landing page to report foreign travel and complete this requirement.

This policy shift helps proactively identify and counter exposed risk to eligible individuals and help identify potential threats to classified holdings or assets while acting as a deterrent to insider threats. As responsible stewards of our nation’s critical assets, we are imploring each of you to do your part to ensure we continue to secure our nation’s secrets. For more information, email NNSSecCompliancePrg@hii-nns.com.

Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Cases reported at NNS from Aug. 15-28: 193

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

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DATEBOOK AUGUST 30

The L.E.A.R.N. Program will host a lunch presentation with Matt Mulherin Jr., vice president of Contracts, from 12 to 12:30 p.m. via WebEx. The event topic is “History of NNS Through My Eyes,” and it is open to all employees by reservation only. Sign up on the L.E.A.R.N. website on MyNNS. For questions, contact Christina Hayden (K51) or email LEARN@hii-nns.com. No charge is provided.

AUGUST 31

The Hispanic Outreach and Leadership Alliance (HOLA) will hold its general meeting from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on WebEx. Kevin Viera will host the meeting. This meeting will go over upcoming and current events and is a great opportunity for members/guests with questions about events. Register on MyNNS.

SEPTEMBER 6 AND 7

Weight management is never one size fits all. Weigh Beyond: Empowering a Healthier You is a 12-week virtual program helps you discover your personal “why” and teaches skills you can use to achieve and maintain a healthy weight for the rest of your life. Two virtual session options are available. Register at myquadmed.com/BeWell then view classes and events.

SEPTEMBER 12-16

Newport News Shipbuilding is observing Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Week Sept. 12-16 with a slate of activities. The week is meant to promote awareness and education to keep the values of inclusion, diversity and engagement fresh in the minds of shipbuilders. Look for a full list of events in the upcoming weeks.

SEPTEMBER 13

The Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG) will host an event as part of ED&I Week from 4 until 5 p.m. in the VASCIC Conference Room. Join us as we bring together two commanding officers and two shipyard executives to discuss the importance of readiness and how our mission at NNS aligns with the nation’s maritime strategy. Open to all employees by reservation only. Sign up on MyNNS. For more information, contact Michael Altrogge (E84) via email. No charge is provided. Si vis pacem, para bellum.

SEPTEMBER 14

September is National Fruits & Veggies Month and this year’s theme is “Eat the Rainbow.” Join QuadMed registered dietitian nutritionists at noon for a virtual cooking demonstration to learn creative ideas to incorporate a colorful and flavorful mix of fruits and vegetables into your daily routine. Register at myquadmed.com/BeWell then view Classes and Events.

SEPTEMBER 29

The L.E.A.R.N. Program and WiSE will co-host an afterwork presentation with NNS President Jennifer Boykin from 4 to 5 p.m. via WebEx. The event is open to all employees by reservation only. Sign up on the L.E.A.R.N. website on MyNNS. For more information, contact Christina Hayden (K51) or email LEARN@hii-nns.com.

No charge is provided.

SEEKING SHIPBUILDERS Job Title Req Number Dept.

Blaster (Entry-Level & 17945, 17944 X33 Experienced) Accountant 3 24544 N365 Corporate Income Provisioning 19890 N365 Tax Manager 3 Engineer Electrical 2 25004 E56 Engineer Industrial 3 17346, 12144 X51 Engineer Material Process 3 22826 E33 Engineer Mechanical 2&3 25212, 22292, E46, E61, 23986 E86 Engineer Nuclear 2 20205 E86 Engineer Systems (Senior UUV) 21648 E35 Engineer Systems Test 2 25126 E25 Financial Analyst 4 24366 N364 Fitters 22406, 22424, X11 22426, 22425 Joiner 11995 O53 Product Trainer 2 21206 O26 Rigger (Experienced) 22924 X36 Staff Physician 17067 O28 Welders 22525, 22524, X18 22484, 22464

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

Yes Yes

Eligible Eligible Eligible Not Eligible, Not Eligible Eligible Not Eligible Eligible Not Eligible Not Eligible Eligible

No Yes No Yes, No Yes Yes Yes No Yes No

Eligible Not Eligible Eligible Not Eligible Eligible

No No 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.

Newport News Shipbuilding will celebrate the Master Shipbuilder Class of 1982 with a dinner on Oct. 28. Invitations will be mailed in the next few weeks. NNS will celebrate the classes of 1980 and 1981 with a dinner on Dec. 9. Invitations for that event will be mailed the last week of October.

Attendance at these events is by invitation only. Beginning this year, attendance at the annual Master Shipbuilder dinner is limited to the class being celebrated.

Sickle Cell Anemia Blood Drive is Sept. 2 One of the easiest ways to make a difference in the lives of sickle cell patients across the country is donating blood. Blood transfusions are one of the most critical treatments for sickle cell patients, but less than 10% of Americans donate blood.

Giving blood is a small action that makes a huge impact, especially for people living with sickle cell disease. Donating blood takes one hour, and you could save someone’s life.

There is an especially great need for donors of diverse backgrounds. Sickle cell patients benefit most from blood transfusions from people of the same race or similar ethnicity, but only 5% of blood donors are of African ancestry. When you donate and diversify the blood supply, you’re making a direct impact on the lives of sickle cell patients.

The African American Shipbuilders Association (AASA) and the American Red Cross will host a Sickle Cell Anemia Blood Drive on Friday, Sept. 2, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Bldg. 520 (James River Room). Please note, all are welcome to donate blood. Donors can charge 1.5 hours to job order 0874-X. To schedule an appointment, contact Sheryce Moore or Natasha Eck via email. For more information, contact William Bond via email.