11 l 30 l 2020
A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
Photo by Matt Hildreth
VCS Program Opens New Outfitting Facility Newport News Shipbuilding’s VirginiaClass Submarine Program recently began moving modules into a new set of outfitting halls – the Rafted Module Facility (RMF) – in the North Yard’s Joint Manufacturing and Assembly Facility (JMAF). The advent of the Virginia Payload Module on Block V Virginia-class submarines – including the Electronics Deck Module, which will be built at NNS – meant the VCS Program needed more space. “We didn’t have room to outfit that module,” said Bob Meyer, VCS Program construction director. “Ultimately, the solution was to build the
new set of outfitting halls.” The 65,000-square foot facility was designed with the specific products that will be outfitted in the space in mind. “Services and fixtures specifically for those ship sections will improve efficiencies,” Meyer said. There also are built-in lockers so employees don’t have to go outside to tool boxes. The RMF also has a small work area for employees with drill presses, lathes and sheet metal shears. It also features a quality of life space.
The RMF will house all VCS module outfitting work from the Covered Module Assembly Facility (CMAF), as well as similar outfitting assembly work. The Columbia-Class Submarine Program is taking over the space vacated by the VCS Program in the CMAF. Watch a video on MyNNS to see shipbuilders move the habitability unit for Arkansas (SSN 800) and the sail for Utah (SSN 801) into the RMF.
NNS Awarded Contract for Columbia-Class Submarines Newport News Shipbuilding has been awarded a contract modification from General Dynamics Electric Boat in support of construction on the first two Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines. The contract modification, valued at approximately $2.2 billion, provides continued design support efforts, as well as the
construction and delivery of six module sections for each of the first two Columbia-class submarines. As part of the contract, NNS will deliver the completed modules to Electric Boat for final assembly. The contracted module delivery dates are scheduled to start in November 2022 with the last module delivery taking place by January 2028.
CONTINUED ON PG 2
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11 | 30 | 2020 shift, and he was on third,” Barry Surber said. “We’d pass each other.” The father and son – second- and third-generation shipbuilders – have something else in common. They’ve both received NNS’ highest honor – a Model of Excellence award. William Surber was awarded in 1999 for Leadership, and Barry Surber received his award for Operational Excellence in 2018. “I wasn’t working to get an award. I hadn’t even heard of it,” William Surber said. First-time quality always has been an expectation. “I knew that was in my father and it spilled over into me. And that spilled over into my son,” William Surber said.
Barry Surber, left, and his father William Surber are both longtime shipbuilders and Model of Excellence award recipients. Photo by Matt Hildreth
Generations of Excellence In August 1977, young shipbuilder William Surber brought his wife Jeanne – 9 months pregnant at the time – to the launch of liquefied natural gas tanker El Paso Arzew at Newport News Shipbuilding. Born just a few days later, their son, Barry Surber, has forged his own path at NNS. “He’s been in the shipyard since before he was born, but we had no idea that he was going to go the route he did on that day,” said William Surber, a former welder who now works for Welding Services. Barry Surber enrolled in The Apprentice School as a pipefitter in 1995. He graduated after completing the advanced design program and now works in Contracts and Pricing. For a time, the Surbers both worked on the deckplate on new construction aircraft carriers, albeit on different shifts. “I was on first
DECEMBER L.A.W. COURSES
Join Learning After the Whistle (L.A.W.) for an opportunity to grow personally and professionally in December. L.A.W. is a program offered by Newport News Shipbuilding’s Leadership, Professional and Organization Development Department (O44) for all employees. L.A.W. classes are currently being offered virtually, at no cost to employees and beginning at 4:30 p.m. Attendance is on employees’ own time, and no time charges are provided. To learn more, visit the website on MyNNS, email LearningAftertheWhistle@hii-nns.com or call Marcia Stewart-Downing at 757-778-2886. L.A.W. offerings in December, which are listed below, will be on an online platform: Resume Writing Dec. 1 and 3 4:30 until 6:30 p.m.
Interviewing Skills Dec. 2 4:30 until 7:00 p.m.
Leading With Your Strengths Dec. 15 4:30 until 7:00 p.m.
Both men said they are grateful for the opportunities they’ve had at NNS. “My loyalty is with the shipyard. It’s given me everything I’ve got. I’m 43, and 25 of those years have been in here,” Barry Surber said. Since he now works with the refueling and complex overhaul of aircraft carriers, Barry Surber is looking forward to the opportunity to help overhaul a ship he helped to build – USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) – in a few years. Although William Surber didn’t have the opportunity to work with his father, who also was a welder at NNS, he did work with others who did. He’s proud to carry on the shipbuilding legacy and share it with his son. “There were some pretty big shoes to fill. That was one of the things that drove me to where I was in the Welding Department,” said William Surber. “A lot of the old guys who came up with me – and some I still see now – have an emotional attachment to our work on these boats. We put our heart and soul into them because they’re going to be here long after we’re gone.”
NNS Awarded Contract for ColumbiaClass Submarines CONTINUED FROM PG 1
“We are pleased to be a crucial design and manufacturing contributor to the Columbia-class program,” said Charles Southall, vice president of Columbia-Class Submarine Construction. “This contract continues NNS’ longstanding and strong commitment to the Navy’s undersea enterprise through the design and construction of major modules and assemblies necessary to achieve program objectives.” NNS is a major contractor and shipbuilding partner in the Columbiaclass program, and in May 2019 began advance construction activities on the lead ballistic missile submarine under contract to Electric Boat. The Columbia class will replace the fleet of Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. The lead ship is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in 2027.
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CURRENTS 3
AROUND THE YARD
Samantha Kehoe with Xavier Beale.
Shipbuilders show off their team T-shirts. Photo by Matt Hildreth
Shirts Display Team’s Engagement Scott Speight (O53) has been a foreman for only a few months, but he knows how important engagement is for any crew. That’s why he decided to have custom T-shirts made for members of his crew, who work in warehouses at Newport News Shipbuilding’s West Park facility. “I believe it’s important to keep engagement alive in our work centers to let employees not only know they’re appreciated, but also cared about,” he said. The black shirts include the NNS logo on the front and the shipbuilders’ name or nickname on the back, along with the crew’s warehouse numbers and a submarine and aircraft carrier. Speight said the shirts were a hit with the team. “I have a great crew. They’re committed to safety and success every day so this was just a simple gesture to show them that they’re all appreciated,” he said.
Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Cases reported Nov. 23-29: 43 Total cases at NNS: 1,136 Total number of NNS employees medically cleared to return to work: 735 See case details at nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411.
Etta Peele with Xavier Beale.
Shipbuilders Steering the Way Etta Peele (X33) and Samantha Kehoe (X11) were honored with Level One Onthe-Spot Ethics awards for speaking up when they noticed something wasn’t right. Peele noticed an issue, which had the potential to cause injury or a fire, and pointed it out to electricians, who were able to correct the problem. After assigning a craftsman a second job for the day, Kehoe realized the WICC process, which helps ensure quality, had been violated. She then initiated a deeper investigation and found another violation. Xavier Beale, vice president of Trades, met with Peele and Kehoe to thank them for their actions and present their awards.
Flu Shots Still Available Still need a flu shot? Free flu shots are available for Newport News Shipbuilding employees at the HII Family Health Center. Appointments are required and all health center visitors must wear a mask and social distance. To schedule an appointment, call 757-327-4200.
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11 | 30 | 2020
DATEBOOK THROUGH DECEMBER 18
Newport News Shipbuilding’s Engagement Office is hosting the final virtual Enable Our Workforce expo of the year. Themed “Shipbuilder University,” the expo allows shipbuilders to explore NNS’ footprint and see how each division impacts the overall business. To participate or to find more information, visit the Engagement website on MyNNS.
DECEMBER 1
Do you want to learn how to craft or organize a speech? Michael Miller, Spear and Gear Toastmasters vice president of Education, will present, “I’m going give a speech, now what should say?” This is an educational session via Zoom that will showcase how to organize a speech. If interested in attending and learning more email the club at SpearandGearToastmastersClub@gmail.com.
DECEMBER 3
Women in Shipbuilding Enterprise (WiSE) members and Newport News Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) employees are teaming up for the annual Secret Santa project to provide local children toys, books and clothes. CASA employees work with abused and neglected children who are under the courts supervision throughout the year. Sign up to sponsor a child on the WiSE website on MyNNS. Gift drop-off is from 4 until 4:30 p.m. Dec. 3 in The Apprentice School lobby. For more information, contact Brenda Meekins (O26) at 380-3239 or via email.
DECEMBER 8
Join Talent Acquisition and FitNNS for a professional development event about acing a virtual interview from 4:30 until 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. With current safety protocols, a lot of interviews are moving to phone, Skype, Zoom or WebEx rather than traditional in-person interviews. Learn how these interviews may be different than what you’re used to and skills/tips to succeed. All shipbuilders are welcome. Email FitNNS@hii-nns.com or Cailee Helmick (E86) to register. The meeting ID is 893 5801 4258 and the passcode is 965005.
DECEMBER 9
Wondering how to improve your credit score? Attend SmartPath’s webinar at noon to learn how credit scores work and ways you can boost your credit. Register at www.joinsmartpath.com/hii/classes. If you can’t participate in the live webinar, register anyway, and SmartPath will email you a recording of the session.
DECEMBER 9
The L.E.A.R.N. Program and Generational Integration Focus Team (GIFT) will host an after-work presentation with HII President and CEO Mike Petters from 4 until 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 questions, contact Tanika Vasquez (E08) at 688-7916, Chris Porro (E70) at 534-0332, or email LEARN@hii-nns.com. No charge is provided.
DECEMBER 10
The Spear and Gear Toastmasters Club will host a club meeting that will showcase members prepared speeches and member evaluations. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in table topics. If interested in attending and learning more email the club at SpearandGearToastmastersClub@gmail.com.
SEEKING SHIPBUILDERS
Visit www.buildyourcareer.com to search for the latest NNS job openings.
Job Title
Req Number
Dept.
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The Project Management Shipbuilder Association (PMSA) is hosting a lunch and learn via WebEx from noon until 12:45 p.m. Dec. 8 for shipbuilders interested in obtaining the Project Management Professional certification in 2021.
Computer Systems Security Analyst 2 Engineer 3 – Model Based Engineer Engineer Electrical 3 Engineer Mechanical 4 Engineer Planning Analyst 3 Engineer Software 3 Engineering Planning Analyst Lead General Foreman Structured Threat Analyst 5 Supervisor of Employee Relations
792 3792 2433 2963 3375 804 3734 3965 3790 1634
E44 E92 E83 O04 E41 E44 E25 K48 T51 O21
Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News
Register for this lunch and learn on PMSA event page on MyNNS. For questions, contact PMSA Boot Camp Lead Debra Brand via email.
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.
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LUNCH AND LEARN ON PMP CERTIFICATION
A New Face Behind the Mask....Keeping the Legacy
Hey it's Todd West, our new Vice President of In-Service Carriers! Hey Seemore! Congrats on your retirement! You have been such a role model to me and so many here at NNS! I think I speak for all of us that your passion for this business and your dedication has truly pointed us in the right direction for the future of ISCVN.
I want to assure you and the ISCVN family that I am dedicated to keeping your legacy of building trusting relationships and removing obstacles that might be standing in the way of us getting the job done right and safely everyday.
Thank you Todd! I know you’ll do great and I look forward to hearing about all the future ISCVN successes under your leadership. I also want to pass on my thanks to all my shipyard family members who have helped me throughout my 37+ year career. It’s been a privilege to be part of the greatest shipbuilding team in the world. A team that has shown me that when you work together, you can accomplish so much more than what is believed to be possible. I owe any success that I’ve had to the men and women I’ve had the pleasure to work side by side with over the years. You’ve taught me the power of being inclusive and the value of respecting and leveraging each other’s differences. I encourage our entire shipbuilding family to continue on that journey, because I strongly believe it is the path to achieving our full potential as a team. Take care of each other and don’t forget to have some fun along the way!