9 | 13 | 2021
A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
Photo by Aaron Pritchett
Stennis RCOH Moves Forward The refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) is well underway at Newport News Shipbuilding. Craftsmen and craftswomen from different departments recently worked together to remove a section of the ship’s flight deck to provide access to other levels of CVN 74. After undertaking several steps to prepare for removal of the ship’s machinery opening – a more than 38,000-pound section that includes six different compartments – shipbuilders cut and lifted the section. The section is now in Dry Dock 10, where it will undergo more work before being sent to blast and coat in preparation for reinstallation in about one year. Watch a time-lapse video on MyNNS of CVN 74’s ship’s machinery opening being removed.
Federal Vaccine Mandate to Impact NNS President Joe Biden announced Sept. 9 that federal workers and federal contractors, including Newport News Shipbuilding, will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Newport News Shipbuilding President Jennifer Boykin and Huntington Ingalls Industries President and CEO Mike Petters both sent messages to shipbuilders following
the announcement. “We are evaluating the impact this will have on our operations, and our priorities will continue to focus on keeping our shipbuilders safe and supporting our Navy customer. In anticipation of this directive, we have been developing a vaccination mandate plan that will meet the government’s... CONTINUED ON PG 2
Honoring 9/11 Victims on 20th Anniversary of Attacks Newport News Shipbuilding paid tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Saturday with a whistle blow at 8:46 a.m. – the same time hijackers crashed the first plane into the north tower of the World Trade Center 20 years ago. In a message to NNS employees to mark the 20th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in American history, NNS President Jennifer Boykin shared her feelings of “shock and helplessness” immediately following the tragedy. She also shared her realization about the contributions of shipbuilders. “Anniversaries like this are reminders of the critical role we play in our nation’s defense, and the awesome responsibility and opportunity we have to be part of something greater than ourselves,” Boykin said. Watch Boykin’s video message to shipbuilders on MyNNS or on the NNS to Go app.