12 l 6 l 2021
A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
U.S. Navy photo
80 Years Later: Remembering the Pearl Harbor Attack Dec. 7 marks the 80th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, which drew the United States into World War II. The surprise attack on the American naval base killed 2,403, including members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps, as well as civilians. More than 1,100 were wounded. In an address to Congress the following day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously called Dec. 7, 1941, “a date which will live in infamy.” Several vessels damaged during the attack were built at Newport News Shipbuilding – including Pennsylvania (BB 38), West Virginia (BB 48) and Maryland (BB 46). West Virginia was one of five ships sunk during the attack that were refloated and repaired. Pennsylvania and Maryland were both damaged during the attack and later repaired. Doris Miller, namesake of the fourth Ford-class aircraft carrier – CVN 81 – which is under construction at NNS, is credited with heroic actions while serving aboard West Virginia during the attack
on Pearl Harbor. His bravery earned him the Navy Cross. CVN 81 will be the first aircraft carrier named for an African American and the first named in honor of a sailor for actions while serving in the enlisted ranks. Three Virginia-class submarines currently under construction at NNS – Utah (SSN 801), Oklahoma (SSN 802) and Arizona (SSN 803) – also share a connection to Pearl Harbor. They share their names with ships that were destroyed during the attack – Utah (AG 16), Oklahoma (BB 37) and Arizona (BB 39). “This solemn anniversary stands as another reminder of just how important shipbuilders are to our nation. The women and men of Newport News Shipbuilding work behind the scenes day and night to deliver the most technologically advanced warships ever built to defend our freedom, to protect our military women and men, and to honor their namesakes,” said NNS President Jennifer Boykin. “We honor the heroes of Dec. 7, 1941, with every aircraft carrier and submarine we deliver to the U.S. Navy.”
2 2
CURRENTS
12 | 6 | 2021
NNS Concludes Raffles With Parking Space Giveaway Newport News Shipbuilding recently concluded a series of raffles to benefit fully vaccinated shipbuilders, awarding three reserved Zone A parking spaces and cash prizes totaling $50,000. The winner of the final raffle – for a reserved parking space in Zone A – was Johnathan Walker (E06). Parking space reservations will be good for one year. NNS launched a series of monetary and parking raffles on Oct. 1 as an incentive for shipbuilders to get vaccinated against COVID-19. To date, 77% of the workforce is fully vaccinated against the virus. The NNS Vaccination Site at the Old Apprentice School gym (Bldg. 601) will continue to offer first, second and booster shots of the Pfizer brand through Dec. 22
time, go to myquadmed.com/hii-nns/COVID-vaccine. Besides Walker, other reserved Zone A spaces went to Keion McDowell (X42) and Travis Quidera (X31). A dozen shipbuilders shared in cash prizes during the two-month raffle series. Winners are as follows: • $7,500: Andrew Crawford (X43) and Kremlin Yee (X47) • $5,000: Michael Kidd (X32) and Jon Sweeney (E37) • $3,750: John Confalone (E91), Douglas Carter (X42), Tramaine Stokes (X36) and Adam Krininger (X02). • $2,500: Larry Sinclair (046), Eric Wurster (E84), Jean Moore (O51) and Wonda Clary (X33).
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred. To schedule a
Watch Focus NNS The latest edition of Focus NNS includes a recap of the construction of Virginia-class submarine New Jersey (SSN 796) – from the keel laying to the recent christening ceremony. It also takes a look back at some of the biggest milestones at Newport News Shipbuilding in 2021.
Exploring Energetic Coating Removal Technology Newport News Shipbuilding strives each day to push the boundaries of what is possible. This resolve is one of the guiding principles of Technology Development (E32), where employee-driven innovation is nurtured to reality. Painted steel is everywhere at NNS. Primed during the construction process for protection from the elements, at some point, the paint must go if that steel is to be welded. Common methods for paint removal like grinding or the use of a needle gun are labor intensive and can be dangerous. Automating paint removal would be a “game changer.” Lasers can help with the process; they’re highly controllable and can remove paint in a non-contact fashion. However, manually controlled processes are inherently not perfectly repeatable. NNS is working to devise fixed-position laser systems along with the parameters to remove paint while not damaging steel. The devices being considered would be installed on existing automated or semiautomated processes at NNS, such as within the Steel Fabrication Assembly campus, where repeatable operations like panel lines operate. While the NNS laser paint removal system will be useful for removing paint as steel moves through a repeatable process, it is not a replacement for the grinders and needle guns used when paint removal for welding is performed everywhere else in the shipyard. This is where a novel concept was envisioned by X11 fitters and E32 to use the optimal laser parameters being determined for the fixed systems, and translate them onto another highly controllable,
yet mobile, device – a welding tractor. With safety and process stability in mind, E32 and X11 got to work. With the concept established, E32 facilitated, directed and funded prototype hardware design using an external research partner. Components of the prototype system are being assembled into a working unit at NNS. A commercial, off-the-shelf welding tractor is being integrated with a 100-watt pulsed fiber laser, whose laser optic is interchangeable with a welding torch. The two hardware items will work together to carefully remove paint in a controllable and repeatable fashion. The project is moving through the prototype assembly stage, with a working research and development system expected in early 2022. “Fully realized, this project would mean hours saved, health hazards lessened and a much more practical way to go about paint removal for our trade. It would benefit our safety and productivity on every program we are on. The future of laser ablation is very exciting for us,” said X11 Foreman Jonathan Morris. Employees who have ideas that can improve shipbuilding or ship repair processes are urged to load their ideas into the Innovation Station. NNS Technology Development is here to help bring these ideas to life.
12 | 6 | 2021
CURRENTS 3
AROUND THE YARD NNS Access Center Announces New Hours Newport News Shipbuilding’s Access Center will have new operating hours, effective Monday, Jan. 3. The Access Center will be open for badging Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 12 p.m. (last video shown at 11:30 a.m.) and from 12:30 until 4 p.m. (last video shown at 3:30 p.m.). Temporary badges needed outside of these hours will be issued at the 37th Street traffic gate.
Pictured from left are Timothy Madden, Jerry Campbell and Mike Joyner.
Shipbuilders Steering the Way Construction supervisors Mike Joyner and Timothy Madden were honored with Level One On-the-Spot Ethics awards for taking action when a fellow shipbuilder was injured on the job. Joyner and Madden were both in the Covered Module Assembly Facility (CMAF) when a welder performing carbon arcing noticed his coveralls were smoldering. As he attempted to snuff out the flame, the welder hit his leg with a carbon arc torch tip, which caused a large lesion. Joyner and Madden both responded immediately. Madden applied pressure to the wound and kept the welder calm. Joyner notified safety and medical staff and informed the hazmat team as the area needed to be disinfected. As a result of Joyner and Madden’s leadership, the welder was able to get necessary medical attention in a timely manner.
Seats Available for Night School Classes The Night School currently has seats available in CPR/First Aid, Naval Nuclear Propulsion and Corrosion Control through Coatings classes. More students are needed to meet the minimum enrollment number to offer the classes listed above for the winter term. Shipbuilders interested in enrolling in any of these classes should contact Sherry Morgan at 688-8608. The deadline to enroll is Dec. 16.
Shipbuilder Appointed to Modeling and Simulation Advisory Council Leah Colvin, manager of the Modeling and Simulation team at Newport News Shipbuilding, has been appointed to the Modeling and Simulation Advisory Council by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam. Colvin is an industry leader, and for the past six years has supported NNS, Department of Defense and Department of Energy projects using modeling and simulation technologies. For the past four years, she has served as an industry advisor for modeling and simulation as a member of the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC) and is the chairperson of Old Dominion University’s Computational Modeling and Simulation
Engineering Industry Advisory Board. In June, Colvin was approached about her willingness to be nominated to join the governor’s Modeling and Simulation Advisory Council and after careful review by the governor’s office, she was selected. She was sworn in October and will serve on the council that will advise the governor on matters related to the use of and the advancement of modeling and simulation.
Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Cases reported last week: 44
Total cases at NNS: 4,887
NNS employees medically cleared to return to work: 4,026
NNS employees vaccinated: 77%
See case details at nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411.
4 2
CURRENTS
12 | 6 | 2021
DATEBOOK DECEMBER 1-20
STRIDE is collecting move-in kits to send to the LGBT Life Center this holiday season. Register on NNS Gives (nns.YourCause.com). The LGBT Life Center provides emergency, temporary and semi-permanent housing for people in the community who have nowhere else to go. With the colder temperatures of the winter season, rehoming is more important than ever. For more information, contact Tina Lawrence at 757-586-6869 or Ariel Matthews at 688-0220.
DECEMBER 7
The L.E.A.R.N. Program and Hispanic Outreach and Leadership Alliance (HOLA) will host an after-work presentation with HII President and CEO Mike Petters 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. No charge is provided. For questions, contact Tanika Vasquez (E08) at 688-7916 or email LEARN@hii-nns.com.
DECEMBER 8
Join the Engineering Vaults Team from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session on Engineering Vaults. The team will present on the classified mail system and showcase the newly developed E&D Supply Vault Services SharePoint site. Sign up on MyNNS. For questions and concerns, email E&D Connections.
DECEMBER 13
The Engagement and Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) offices invite shipbuilders to join their monthly ED&I Together Strong Life Unites Panel Discussion Series: Celebrating The Art of Becoming from 4:30 until 6 p.m. via Zoom. Panelists include Joshua Buchanan (X51), Melanie McGrath (O60), Tina Lawrence (E70), Fatina Brave of Ingalls Shipbuilding, and Miranda Williams of the Technical Solutions division. This event is open to all NNS employees. Register on MyNNS. No charge will be provided. Email DiversityAndInclusion@hii-nns.com for more information.
DECEMBER 15
Join Engineering & Design, Amber Richardson (O36) and Chris Brown (O35) from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session on WebEx 103. Are you ready to build on the skills taught in WebEx 101 and 102? This session will cover more advanced WebEx functionality including sharing videos and whiteboard. Take your skills to the next level and lead virtual meetings like a pro. To learn more, sign up on MyNNS. For questions and concerns, email E&D Connections.
DECEMBER 18
The Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG) is requesting volunteers to assist in laying Christmas wreaths in support of National Wreaths Across America Day from noon until 2 p.m. at Hampton National Cemetery. This a great family event to show support in our community. No charge will be provided. Sign up on NNS Gives (nns.YourCause.com). For additional information, contact Paul Gee (O52) at 688-9134 or Mike Altrogge (E84) at 380-3460.
THROUGH DECEMBER 31
The most wonderful time of the year can also be filled with financial stress, but the BeWell Smart Holiday Spending Program can help you control holiday spending to keep you and your budget merry and bright. You’ll track your progress on Wellness Online and, for completing the program, receive a copy of the book “Fuel: The Most Important Number in Your Financial Life” by SmartPath CEO Alok Deshpande. Visit Wellness Online to enroll and start the program.
DECEMBER 9
The Spear and Gear Toastmasters Club invites shipbuilders to a virtual Toastmasters meeting via Zoom to hear speech presentations, speech evaluations and participate in table topics to develop public speaking, listening and leadership skills from 6 until 7 p.m. Those interested in joining should contact Jamar Skyles (E03), Paul Gee Jr. (O52) and Tammy Smith (N358) for more information and to receive the Zoom link.
SEEKING SHIPBUILDERS
Visit www.buildyourcareer.com to search for the latest NNS job openings.
Job Title
Req Number
Dept.
Location
Engineer Electrical 1 Engineer Structural 2 Fitter (Trainee, Entry-level & Experienced) Metallurgist/Engineer Material Process 1 Metallurgist/Engineer Material Process 3 Outside Machinist (Trainee, Entry-level & Experienced) Pipefitter (Trainee, Entry-level & Experienced) Refueler (Experienced) Superintendent Sheet Metal Worker (Trainee, Entry-level & Experienced) Welder (Trainee, Entry-level & Experienced)
13424 13444 12584, 12605, 12604 12792 10087 12964, 12924, 12944 12706, 12724, 12725 12965 12640 12805, 12794, 12804 12784, 12764, 12744
E70 O48 X11 A572 A572 X43 X42 X43 M10 X32 X18
Newport News 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.
Editor: Nicholas Langhorne Currents@hii-nns.com
Currents is published every Monday for employees of Newport News Shipbuilding. To submit a story, visit nns.huntingtoningalls.com/currents.
Cover photo: The forward end of West Virginia (BB 48) – built at Newport News Shipbuilding – was engulfed in flames immediately following the Japanese air attack on Pearl Harbor. Tennessee (BB 43) is on the ship’s opposite side. U.S. Navy photo.
Get News. Give Feedback. Follow Huntington Ingalls Industries: