10 l 4 l 2021
A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
Photo by Ashley Cowan
Foundry Completes Milestone Pour Newport News Shipbuilding’s Foundry recently completed a pour of the first casting for Wisconsin (SSBN 827), the nation’s second Columbia-class submarine. In addition to the recent SSBN 827 casting, the Foundry has started the molding process for other Wisconsin castings.
more than 50 years, shipbuilders in the Foundry have poured most of the NNS castings for the lead ship (SSBN 826), with all lead ship castings expected to be complete next year. This Wisconsin casting represents the beginning of sequential construction work on the Columbia-Class Program that will span the next two decades.
Since restarting ballistic missile submarine construction at NNS for the first time in
“We enjoy a strong collaboration with many teams across the company to keep
our production on track,” said Foundry Superintendent Kenton Meland. “We are fortunate to have strong support from the Columbia Program Office, Engineering and Design, Laboratory Services, NonDestructive Testing, Waterfront Support Services, Facilities and Component Fabrication and Assembly (CFA) Production Control so that we can meet our production commitments.”
NNS Announces Exemption Process for COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate
Employee Engagement Survey Ends Oct. 8
As a result of a federal government mandate, COVID-19 vaccinations will be required for all Newport News Shipbuilding employees, with few exceptions, by Dec. 8.
Shipbuilders have an opportunity to participate in this year’s employee engagement survey through Friday, Oct. 8. Employees with company computer access should have received an email from Gallup inviting them to participate. Employees without company computer access are taking the survey at a designated time with their crew during work hours. These employees will need to use their MyID to take the survey and are encouraged to access the survey on their mobile device or by logging on to a computer at one of the survey centers set up across the shipyard.
A limited set of legitimate medical conditions and sincere religious beliefs may exempt some employees from the mandate and require accommodation. To be considered for exemption from vaccination, employees must complete forms for either religious exemption consideration or medical exemption consideration. Completed religious accommodation forms must be notarized using non-company resources and submitted no later than midnight on Oct. 13. Completed medical request forms must be submitted as soon as possible and no later than midnight on Oct. 29. Requests for exemption from vaccination are not guaranteed to be granted. Visit nns.huntingtoningalls.com/exemption-requests for more information and for copies of the forms. A list of frequently asked questions also is available on the website.