IN THIS ISSUE Crane Teams Reduce Accidents Minnesota Reaches Pressure Hull Complete
Yardlines
Photo by Ricky Thompson
680-Ton Bow Lift Completes CVN 78 Keel
A Publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
July 2012
take a
BOW CVN 78’s Last Keel Unit Lifted Into Place
At 10:05 a.m. on May 24, the whistle blew for “Big Blue” Crane Operator Dave Rushing to begin lifting the lower bow for the Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). Communicating by radio and hand signals, riggers, shipwrights, shipfitters and linesmen assisted in lowering the 680-ton, 60foot tall bow unit into Dry Dock 12. Joining the lower bow to the other ship units completes the length of the 1,092-foot aircraft carrier. Watching their work come together from the side of the dry dock were Shipfitters Richard Harris Jr., Calvin Knight, Isaac Higgs and Wesley Newcome. Their team had the lead in building the massive lower bow. “We started building the bow unit about a year ago,” said Harris, who worked from the inner bottoms all the way up to the main deck. “It was impressive to see the unit that we’ve worked so hard on move from the platen to the dry dock.” Every shipyard trade made this milestone possible from the cleaning crews to pipe fitters to electricians. CVN 78 Construction Director Geoff Hummel said approximately 50,000 man hours of work has been put into the construction so far by the whole shipyard.
“Recognizing the efforts of all the teams who made the bow unit come together is important,” said Newcome. “The trades gave us people, the material teams made sure we had material on time, and the riggers moved the big pieces when they were ready.”
Shipwrights Robert Balarabe, John Gateau, Matt Keller and Rob Messick agree there were a lot of eyes on the unit. Their shipwright team was involved before and after the bow was set on the keel blocks. Balarabe said he began preparing the bow two months before the scheduled lift.
On May 24, Newport News shipbuilders reached a major milestone in the modular construction of the Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) aircraft carrier when they slowly lowered the lower bow into place to complete the keel. Photo by Chris Oxley
Prior to moving the bow into the dry dock, the shipwrights attached the lift pads, removed the handrails and secured all the openings. Messick stressed how important the lift preparation is. “At 6 a.m., the morning of the lift, we checked everything, then we checked it again
and then we checked it again.” After the lift, the team quickly focused on the work required to connect the bow to the ship. “Once it’s on the keel blocks, that is when our job really begins,” said Keller. For three days following the lift, Keller and his teammates hooked up
steamboat jacks to close any gaps and squared things off. When the shipbuilders completed fitting the bow to the rest of the ship, the crane’s cables were disconnected from the bow, and everyone could move on to their next job.
If there is any question about what a successful team looks like, a quick look at the team building America’s newest submarine will clear it up. Minnesota (SSN 783), the 10th Virginia-class submarine (VCS), is due for delivery to the Navy approximately 11 months earlier than its contract delivery date. On May 23, the VCS program announced that the ship was “pressure hull complete,” a term signifying the joining of the ship’s hull sections into a single, watertight unit. “Pressure hull complete is a major evolution in the ship’s construction,” said Lowton “L.A.” White, a 24year veteran submarine welder. “Now access to the ship is limited, and everything is permanent. It means we are almost done.” Pressure hull complete is one of the last major milestones before the submarine’s christening this fall. With these statistics, it is easy to wonder, “What are they doing differently?” Darryle Knight, a shipfitter in the VCS program, has been working on submarines for 38 years. “I remember building Los Angeles-class submarines in my early days at the yard, and the way we build Virginia-class subs is simply more efficient. We have eliminated rework. That’s why I think we’re ahead of schedule,” he said. Syretta Brown, an electrician with six years experience, has been impressed by the teamwork on Minnesota. “From my experience working on the last three subs, this has been the smoothest by far. It’s actually surprising to see the statistics on how ahead we are, because we don’t feel rushed. We’re just following the plan.” In fact, Minnesota celebrated pressure hull complete two months earlier in its contract delivery schedule than the last Newport News-delivered submarine, USS California. Because of the early deliveries, the VCS program is gaining a reputation of being a highly-efficient workforce. However, Ceferino Bersonda, a pipefitter and recent Apprentice School graduate, thinks they are more than just efficient. “It seems like we all know each other. We work closely together…it feels like a second family. In my opinion, we are ahead because of that dynamic; we communicate well with each other, and get each other what we need when we need it.” Jim Hughes, NNS’ vice president of Submarines and Fleet Support, agreed. “Our shipbuilders and our partners at Electric Boat have put a lot of hard work into this boat, and it shows. Their work ethic and commitment to quality is evident in every aspect of the construction process and the results attained thus far.”
WATERTIGHT
Minnesota (SSN 783) sits in the Module OutďŹ tting Facility (MOF) with a temporary enclosure around the bow unit that controls the environment in the room during hull treatment. The ship is now 81 percent complete. Photo by Chris Oxley
THEY
CALL HIM
“THE LEGEND” For Tony Davis, welding isn’t just a job. And it isn’t simply a skill he’s acquired. “It’s an art to me,” said the 38-year shipyard veteran who co-workers call “The Legend.” Davis has been welding since before he was old enough to drive, having trained in the profession at a vocational school before coming to work at Newport News. The shipyard placed him in the burning department when he arrived, but he convinced Human Resources to move him to welding. “I told them I liked welding and I would be of more benefit to them in that area,” he said. And he was.”I’ve been welding ever since.” But going from welder to “legend” took something more than just an aptitude for the job. It took a lot of pride, said Davis, something instilled in him at an early age. As a youngster his dad would make him cut the grass, and if Davis didn’t do a good job, his dad would send him back out to do it again. “He would tell me if you are going to do something, then try to do it right.” Over the years, Davis has mastered all forms of welding techniques and any new welding technologies that came along during his nearly four decades of building ships.
the name stuck. “Everywhere I go they say ‘here comes The Legend,’” said Davis. Today, what Davis enjoys the most is sharing what he’s learned. “I like helping other people, seeing them progress and gain confidence in themselves. I know I’ve showed this guy something and now he can pass it on.” But before he takes on new pupils, he first asks them if they take pride in their work. “If they do, then I’ll show them everything. But if they don’t want to learn it right, then I’ll tell them they’re wasting my time.” And the young welders keep coming to Davis, asking for his help. “If you show one person, it’s like a chain reaction,” he said. That’s the legacy Davis wants to leave in his wake.
He’s worked on submarines, aircraft carriers, tankers, cargo ships and cruise ships. “Just about every ship that came to the shipyard,” he said. On one particular day, Davis remembered he was welding on a ship, using three mirrors to ensure the job was done right. A co-worker stopped to watch what he was doing and told him he was good—that he was a “legend.” Then she wrote that word on his tool box. And
During his nearly four decades at the shipyard, Tony Davis’ (left) artistry as a welder and mentor to new shipbuilders has earned him the nickname “The Legend.” Davis took Welder Terry Bryan Jr. (right) under his wing three years ago. Photo by Ricky Thompson
It’s ALL in the
PLAN
In April, crane teams from across the shipyard came together to celebrate their latest achievement—no, not another superlift, but their best accident reduction record to date. Dial back a few years, and no one at Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) was celebrating the Lifting and Handling (L&H) team’s accident record. By industry standards, it was better than most— but it wasn’t good enough for NNS, who wanted to be the mark that all others were measured against. Waterfront Support Services Trades Director Robert Chappell Sr. set out on a mission to lead L&H operations to be the safest in the industry. “We wanted everyone to know we were the best,” said Chappell. “We examined each step in the process and every one of our procedures. Then we began documenting all the lifts our teams were performing, and we made it a requirement to have a detailed lift plan in place for all projects. We also increased training for the lift teams at all levels.” In 2011, the L&H teams performed more than one million lifts with 37 accidents. That’s almost a 40% reduction in accidents over 2010 while making almost 150,000 more lifts. “Our true measure of success is keeping our people safe, Chappell explained. “Since August 2011, the teams have made more than 989,000 lifts without an injury. Our last crane-related injury in July 2011, a bruised finger, ended a two-year, two-million lifts, injury-free record.” During the L&H celebration, the Foundry’s lift team received the “Top Gun” award for the team with the best safety record. In 2011, they had one accident, down from six in 2010. Moving to the new L&H lift-plan requirement did not come without some grumbling from inside the yard. “Change is always difficult,” said Rob Robinson, a crane
operator in the Covered Module Assembly Facility. “A lot of guys thought the new planning process would slow them down and put their projects behind schedule.” However, the lift plans are proving to be a roadmap to success. Last year, L&H teams completed 15.5 percent more lifts with fewer accidents than in 2010. “If we have an accident during a lift, we have to stop everything,“ said Ed Sullivan, one of the lead crane operators on the Foundry’s L&H Top Gun team. “We are more successful when we stick to the plan and don’t deviate from it. There’s more down time on a project if there’s an accident than we would ever spend developing and focusing on the lift plan.” A standardized form is used to formulate a lift plan. The form not only provides the what, where and weight of the lift, but it also includes the lift sequence, position of the lift points, what gear is required, lift calculations, comments and photographs from previous lifts. “Most people think lifting is just a physical job,” said Crane Operator Jerry Carr. “The job requires a lot more mental focus, precision and communication. We have to get the calculations right and everyone has to be on the same page.” L&H continues to set high expectations and goals for itself. Each year, the team is given an accident reduction goal. But the true goal is, and always will be, zero. “As good as our record is today, we can always do more to improve,” said Sullivan. “We have to stay focused, work as a team, communicate with each other and, very importantly, stick to the plan.”
Crane team members (L to R) Rob Roberson, Christopher Sparno, Jerry Carr, Rob Wolfe, Patrick Peck, and Derek Arsenault review the plan for a scheduled lift outside the Covered Module Assembly Facility (CMAF). Photo by John Whalen
fun run
The weather was perfect as employees and their families gathered under the shadow of the VASCIC building on Saturday morning, May 19. They came to downtown Newport News to participate in the annual 5K, coordinated by HealthWaves, the shipyard’s wellness provider. A whistle blow at 9:00 a.m. signaled the start as 1,000 people began the five-kilometer stretch along the shipyard. The event was more than a race. With activities for children, massage stations, and Foodbank donations, the 5K was more about community than competition. Danielle Osborne, a pipefitter on Gerald R. Ford, had never been in a 5K before. “I thought it was nice. I came with my boyfriend and kids. All the booths made it really fun for the kids.” Still, some came with the intent of winning; David Woodson, family member of a shipbuilder, ran the race in 16 minutes 35 seconds, finishing first. A different competition was also taking place, not for the fastest time but for the highest numbers. The Challenge Cup is given each year to the Newport News Shipbuilding program with the most people registered. Jennifer Boykin, vice president of Engineering and Design, took the trophy home with more than 400 of her engineers present. Some came to compete with themselves. One of the 400 engineers, Tom Herbert, who had a stress fracture in his left leg, walked the entire five kilometers on crutches. “I had signed up before I found out about my leg, and I just didn’t want to use it as an excuse. It helped that our vice president had hinted at her desire to win the trophy, but I really wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. So I did.” One thousand employees and family members begin the five-kilometer stretch in Victory Landing Park with the VASCIC building behind them. Photo by Ricky Thompson
50,000 …AND COUNTING 27,000 reactor start-ups and shutdowns… 37,500 engine room start-ups and shutdowns… 150,000 written exams… And 500,000 watches stood. Those are just a few of the accomplishments that led to a milestone celebration at the Kesselring Site this spring. On May 29, hundreds of sailors, civilian employees and Navy personnel gathered at the Kesselring Site’s Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit (NPTU) in Saratoga County, New York, to witness the graduation of the nuclear training program’s 50,000th graduate, Jenna Swindt. The Kesselring Site—the longest operational NPTU—is the first U.S. Navy Nuclear Power Training Unit to reach this major milestone. Following graduation, the sailors will be assigned to the Navy’s fleet of nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers. Adm. Kirkland Donald, Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion, attended the event and praised the faculty and students at the site. “This is tough shore duty,” he said to the staff. “What you’re doing is making a real difference in the future of our Navy. For our students, you’ve made something greater of yourselves and you will make something greater of our United States Navy.” Newport News Shipbuilding assumed responsibility for maintenance services at the Kesselring Site earlier this
year. Under the contract, NNS provides maintenance on the two nuclear reactor prototypes at the site. Kent Williams, NNS’ director of Nuclear Engineering and Kesselring Site director, said the ceremony reinforced the importance of the work they perform each day at the site and its connection back to the work performed at the shipyard. “The submarines and aircraft carriers we build in Newport News are the most complex ships in the world,” Williams said. “With that complexity comes strict standards, exceptional quality and countless hours of training for the sailors who will operate them. Much of that training is performed here at the Kesselring Site, and it is our responsibility to ensure all systems are operating correctly, and that when they need maintenance, the work is performed safely, with the highest quality, and on schedule.” Like the work performed in Newport News, the work at the Kesselring Site also contributes to national security. This was noted at the ceremony by Thomas D’Agostino, undersecretary for Nuclear Security and administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration. He told the audience that in a world of mundane jobs, they work with some of the most exciting technology. “Your work has real meaning,” he said. “You are serving your country and something larger than yourself.” Jenna Swindt, the 50,000th nuclear-trained sailor to graduate from the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory’s Kesselring Site in West Milton, is congratulated by Adm. Kirkland Donald, (left), Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion. Earlier this year, Newport News Shipbuilding assumed responsibility for maintenance on the two nuclear reactor prototypes at the Kesselring Site. Photo by Ricky Thompson
Long Service MASTER SHIPBUILDERS
JUNE
Vernal Banks 40 years
Bert L. Boone 40 years
Peter M. Bower 40 years
Melvin Branch 40 years
Lawnsie F. Brown 40 years
Zeke C. Cook Jr. 40 years
Vernon R. Craig 40 years
Daniel P. Crehan Jr. 40 years
Roscoe M. Duck 40 years
Jim C. Fike 40 years
Thurston Gore 40 years
Bill R. Griffin Jr. 40 years
William R. Griffin Jr. 40 years
Ernestine T. Hawkins 40 years
Jerold H. Heard 40 years
Julius M. Heckstall 45 years
Charles E. Hodges 40 years
David B. Hogge 45 years
Gerald D. Holland 40 years
Richard T. Holley 40 years
Richard S. Ivens 45 years
Eric C. Johnson 40 years
Coloris M. Jones 45 years
Ellison E. Jones 45 years
Richard A. Jordan 45 years
Tony L. Joyner 40 years
Terry L. Kurnas 40 years
John N. Meadows Jr. 50 years
Timothy J. Miller 40 years
Horace G. Milteer III 40 years
Melton W. Mitchell 40 years
Steve Moody 40 years
Clyde A. Moore 40 years
Granville S. Moore III 40 years
Johnnie F. Myers Jr. 40 years
Larry D. Parks 40 years
Long Service MASTER SHIPBUILDERS
JUNE
John H. Perkins 40 years
D’Arcy E. Phillips Jr. 40 years
William L. Rains Jr. 45 years
Marvin L. Ruffin 40 years
Duane L. Smith 40 years
Thomas Smith 40 years
Bob J. Schaffner 40 years
Jimmy L. Shoulars 40 years
Betty K. Smithwick 40 years
Melvin Stallings 40 years
Thomas L. Suits 40 years
John W. Tardy III 40 years
Ira T. Tate 40 years
Mark K. Tessarolo 40 years
David O. Thompson 40 years
Aaron E. Whitaker 40 years
Arthur L. White 40 years
John T. Wiggis Jr 45 years
Melvin J. Williams 40 years
Robert H. Williams 40 years
50 YEARS John N. Meadows Jr. E18 45 YEARS Gary E. Blake X82 Thomas D. Diggs Jr. E75 Charles W. Epps Jr. O53 Walter I. Fortenberry O31 Julius M. Heckstall X43 David B. Hogge X82 Richard S. Ivens E83 Coloris M. Jones O24 Ellison E. Jones X36 Richard A. Jordan E25 William L. Rains Jr. X33 Thomas L. Ruffin X31 Paul W. Soter X31 Paul Weidmann E25 John T. Wiggins Jr. X33 40 YEARS James M. Albert Jr. O46 Larry E. Baker X33 Vernal Banks O67 Michael K. Barley O38
Bert L. Boone X18 Peter M. Bower X18 Melvin Branch X18 David M. Bristow M53 Lawnsie F. Brown X33 Jannings B. Caldwell X70 Robert W. Chappell O40 Ezekiel C. Cook Jr. X33 Vernon R. Craig X71 Daniel P. Crehan Jr. O53 Roscoe M. Duck X31 Charles R. Eason O53 Dana A. Ferrell O04 James C. Fike O21 Daniel R. Fontaine X72 Howard T. Gore X50 Willis A. Griffin O46 William R. Griffin Jr. O46 David R. Hastings X36 Ernestine T. Hawkins O95 Jerold H. Heard O43 Charles E. Hodges Jr. X31 Gerald D. Holland X42 Richard T. Holley X33 Eric C. Johnson X36
Danny R. Jones O64 Tony L. Joyner X36 Louis D. Knight X11 Terry L. Kurnas O57 Michael E. Lowrie X82 Lemuel L. Mathias X32 Timothy J. Miller O43 Horace G. Milteer III X70 Melton W. Mitchell X18 Steven Moody K78 Clyde A. Moore X18 Granville S. Moore III O41 Johnnie F. Myers Jr. X88 Larry D. Parks X10 John H. Perkins X42 D’Arcy E. Phillips Jr. T55 Marvin L. Ruffin X18 Robert J. Schaffner E75 Jimmy L. Shoulars X33 Duane L. Smith X88 Thomas Smith X33 William S. Smith X31 Betty K. Smithwick O81 Melvin Stallings X18 Thomas L. Suits X70
John W. Tardy III X88 Ira T. Tate O38 Johnny W. Temple N206 Mark K. Tessarolo E84 David O. Thompson X11 James A. Ward X73 Aaron E. Whitaker X32 Arthur L. White X31 Melvin J. Williams X42 Robert H. Williams O57 35 YEARS Jack E. Ammons X18 James R. Anderson X89 Richard L. Arnt Jr. O54 Jeffrey S. Asby E39 Albert L. Askew X11 Allan L. Baker X18 Lawrence E. Barnett X67 Patrick O. Blackmon X88 Jacqueline Brown X18 Gerald W. Bruso Jr. O67 Stephen W. Casey O41 Kevin M. Charity X36 Moses Cherry Jr. X18
Donnie Custis X36 Larry D. Deaver X10 Jeffery L. Dent O43 Carlton D. Dillard X11 Michael J. Emanuel X54 William L. English Jr. X88 Jackie L. Evans X18 Milton T. Evans O64 James V. Figgs O43 Leroy Flagler X31 Andy Flood X11 Tony D. Fox X11 Jeffery E. Futrell X42 Vernon R. Gardner Jr. X18 Ralph B. Grogins X18 James E. Hall O04 Joseph A. Harrell X11 Ricky T. Harris X11 Robert S. Haynes X11 Jimmy W. Holland X11 Chester L. Holliman X18 Craig D. Jacox O53 Stanley L. Jones X18 Edward L. Knight X33 Robert L. Knightnor X18
Ray D. Lane X10 Scotty B. Leggett X18 Troy M. Massey X18 William G. Mayo X18 Margaret C. McCoy X10 Isaiah C. McHerrin X32 Michael C. Miller X88 James E. Norfleet Jr. X11 Paula M. Overman-Lewis O14 Gwendolyn T. Perry O43 Deborah M. Pittman O27 Paul B. Porter X18 John M. Portlock Jr. O19 Ronnie W. Pretlow X18 Andra J. Pryear O43 Neil J. Rawles M53 Brian E. Ribblett X18 Corbin L. Robbins Jr. O26 Arthur L. Rogers X11 Mary L. Scheepers O53 Daniel R. Scott X88 Carlton B. Sessoms X18 Harry R. Smith Jr. X11 Ollie D. Spratley X32 continued on next page
Long Service MASTER SHIPBUILDERS Karl Tarves X10 William C. Taylor X18 Larry J. Trantham O67 Roderick Turner X11 Barbara V. Umberger X11 Bernard W. Wild III X11 Mary L. Wilson E83 30 YEARS Donald G. Aleshire X43 Tommy A. Alley Jr. X42 Calvin D. Atkins X36 Henry L. Beale X71 Suzanne M. Beckstoffer E90 Bruce R. Beers E12 Rodger L. Bennett E83 Kenneth R. Bethea E15 Earl K. Bolden X76 Andrew G. Bonney O48 John E. Brock Jr. X31 Fredrick R. Brown E68 Kevin R. Bull E82 Fred A. Caccavale O19 Jacob W. Caplinger III E86 Donald E. Carawan X88 Robert W. Carmine X18
Lawrence S. Carter Jr. O79 Wayne A. Cary X18 Carl A. Christensen X72 Michael T. Claude X11 Gregory A. Connor X11 Tony K. Cooper X42 John D. Cowley III E86 Charles S. Davenport X42 Daryl L. Davis X33 Peter S. Deal X84 Vincent L. Dixon X73 Joseph A. Domday E83 Samuel L. Dunn III X11 Willie M. Earley III E81 Brenda J. Ellingsworth X36 Calvin H. Farthing Jr. X10 David A. Galinski O48 Lee P. Gibboney E86 Robert B. Gibson III X71 Marcia A. Gilliam X73 Gregory A. Giordano E72 Steven W. Griffey X10 Donald T. Grogan X18 Terry L. Hargett E82 Morris Harrell X36 Michael E. Hathaway E51 David J. Hayes X18
Mitchell L. Hilliard X43 David W. Holloway O53 Steven W. Horner X11 Benjamin P. Hulvey X43 Howard R. Ingram E25 Richard G. Jenkins O54 Spencer K. Jenkins X10 Mark T. Jones M53 Robert B. Jones X36 Melvin R. Jordan Jr. X11 Paul W. Kania E51 Michael E. Kearney X43 Jerry L. Keast E18 Jeanne Kesner E71 Kathy I. Kiehner O14 John K. Knemeyer E86 James L. Langford E86 Stacey D. Lilley X10 Reginald Love O39 Oliver C. Lupton III O43 Kenneth H. McBurney X88 James B. Meadows E74 Ernestine Mitchell O53 Harold L. Mitchell Jr. X10 Paul A. Moore X42 Darryl K. Mullen K78 Eldridge H. Northstein M53
JUNE Donald K. Ogburn O46 Lloyd A. Ormon E74 Quintin A. Owens X18 Warren L. Owens O54 Aaron W. Park E24 Dennis J. Perkins X42 Charles J. Pierce O39 Brian L. Pollard E46 James T. Rentz X10 Lisa G. Ricciardi E73 Reginald W. Richardson X31 Gerald K. Robertson X32 Travis D. Robinson X10 Thomas J. Rowe X42 George W. Ryalls X67 Frederick K. Saalbach O46 Francis W. Saloka Jr. X88 John W. Schultz X10 Edward J. Schweiger E84 Henry L. Scott X36 Troy L. Shanholtz O46 Velvet A. Silver K93 Scott W. Sirrine E83 John M. Slade Jr. E62 Robert W. Small E45 Lorenza Smith X36 Paul H. Soule X89
David E. Soult X42 Curtis R. Stephens E15 Blake K. Stewart X43 Joseph W. Stickle Jr. E85 Ben J. Talbott E83 Paul E. Toth O48 Mark E. Twine X43 Michael K. Upton X82 Michael C. Veit X83 Randall W. Wadford X10 Suzette R. Walker X73 Rex A. Wallen K76 David W. Waltrip X88 Gail A. Warner E27 Leonard E. Waters X18 Timothy L. Watkins X18 Bruce E. Watson X32 Kelly L. Werner E83 John E. Whalen O29 David E. Whitaker X36 Junious A. Wilkerson X33 Ann J. Willis O67 25 YEARS Samuel H. Barnett E58 Allen D. Cason E17 Virgilio G. Daus E26
Sophia L. Delk T55 Bill R. Ermatinger N300 John D. Figg X58 Michael T. Gannon E75 Nathaniel G. Gilbert E13 Greg L. Guilford E14 Roderick L. Hall X87 Jeffrey C. Hammack E26 Glenn D. Hammett E17 Mark T. Irving O82 Gerald R. Johnson X82 Thomas K. Jones T53 David W. Lambert O30 Robert P. Minter E21 Robert A. Packard E51 Mike Petters N300 Zach W. Quidley E84 Velton L. Shaw O88 Michael J. Wallace E81 James H. Watt X58 John A. Zecher E75 20 YEARS John J. Loch X73 Amy L. Porter X42 Michael D. Sheldon X54 Donald S. Willard X89
Retirements MAY Darnell O. Anthony X11 David L. Baker X11 William E. Bateman E27 Melvin B. Bell X42
James L. Boone X33 Roger Butler Jr. X11 Joseph F. Cherry X11 Michael M. Clevenger E51
Robert L. Copeland X42 Daniel L. Fitzpatrick X36 John T. Hill X11 Donald J. Kent M30*
Henry R. Lawrence X11 Malcolm F. Mann O39 Glenn R. Owens X32 Hollis H. Palmer Jr. E65
Hayes C. Robinson Jr. X31 Herbert J. Smith E84 George R. Thomas X43 Walter E. Thompson X42
Earl J. Vaughan X36 Claudette J. Washington O43 Brian V. White E42 Alvin Wilson E22 * Retired in April
Summer Safety Hot weather can sometimes be really stressful and dangerous. Follow these practical tips from HealthWaves to stay injury-free this summer: • Drink plenty of non-caffeinated drinks. Being thirsty is a sign of dehydration, so don’t wait until you’re thirsty! The rule of thumb is about one half to a full cup every 15 to 20 minutes or so.
• Keep your hands dry and your safety glasses clear. Slippery hands from sweat and fogged safety glasses can cause an accident. • Eat lightly – hot foods and heavy meals can decrease your body’s resistance to heat-related illnesses. Salads and fruits are best. • Be sure to wear sunscreen when working outside. Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool itself and causes a loss of body fluids.
• Monitor the condition of your coworkers when working in the heat, and have someone do the same for you. Heat-related symptoms to look for are heart pounding, gasping for breath, lightheadedness, confusion, weakness and fainting. • If you or a co-worker experience heat-related symptoms, move to a cooler area, drink fluids, and seek medical attention if the condition does not improve.
Making a Difference Fighting Against Cancer Whether it is to celebrate a cancer survivor or to honor a loved one’s memory, Newport News Shipbuilders, including the African American Shipbuilding Association (AASA), Apprentice School Student Association (ASSA), Apprentice Alumni Association (AAA), Women in Shipbuilding Enterprises, and Lady Shipbuilders, have been supporting local American Cancer Society Relay for Life events since the late 1980s. This year, the “Cure Builders” team, formed by members of AAA and ASSA, contributed more than $2,000 to the Newport News relay. Kimberly Jordan, AAA Relay for Life Chair, lends support to survivors and those fighting in honor of her grandmother’s victory over cancer. Stephanie Cherry has also been personally affected by cancer. Cherry, a fifth-time Hampton Relay participant said her father’s death inspired her to fundraise to fight for more survivors, and more research and treatment
options. “My father died from brain cancer in 2000,” Cherry said. “It was difficult for me and my family, so I do what I can to support Relay for Life.” The AASA understands the importance of reaching fundraising goals to bring about a change. “The health of our community is a big concern for AASA,” said Tammy Smith, the organization’s relay captain. “By using our collective talents and joining the fight, we can have a greater impact on the battle against cancer.” For NNS participants, Relay for Life is a 12-hour event, but only a small part of a 365-day campaign against cancer. Donations will be collected until Aug. 31. More information is available at relayforlife.org Shipbuilders (L to R) Calvin Holloway, Angel Averett, Laneisha Jenkins, Karla Hamrick, Tammy Smith, Kimberly Jordan, Christina Butler and Carlton Dillard participated in the June 23 Newport News Relay For Life. Photo by Dar Deerfield Mook
Yardlines is published 10 times a year for the employees of Newport News Shipbuilding. This issue of Yardlines was produced by: Jordan Bryan, Gina Chew-Holman, Troy Cooper, Mike Dillard, Christie Miller, Eugene Phillips, LaMar Smith, Peter Stern, Susan Sumner and Lauren Ward. Additional writing services by Barlow Communications. Photographs by: Chris Oxley, Ricky Thompson and John Whalen Send comments, questions and story ideas to Yardlines editor: gina.chewholman@hii-nns.com or call 757-380-2627. To stop receiving Yardlines, go to nns.huntingtoningalls.com/Yardlines to unsubscribe.
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EAU CLAIRE WI PERMIT NO. 366
July 2012
USS MISSISSIPPI JOINS NAVY FLEET A crowd of nearly 7,500 attended the commissioning ceremony on Sat., June 2 at the Port of Pascagoula in Mississippi for the Navy’s newest, most modern nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarine. The 7,800-ton USS Mississippi (SSN 782) is the ninth submarine in its class to be built under a partnership agreement between Newport News Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat. The submarine is the fifth ship named for Mississippi and it was delivered to the Navy one year early and under budget. Allison Stiller, the ship’s sponsor and deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for ship programs, gave the traditional commissioning order. “Without further ado, officers and crew of USS Mississippi, man our ship and bring her to life.” The 145-member crew ran to the 377-foot-long submarine with a cheer, and filled the decks. Photo by U.S. Navy