IN THIS ISSUE RCOH Team’s Creativity Saves Time Fleet Support Repairs USS Montpelier
Yardlines
Photo by John Whalen
Warner Reaches Pressure Hull Complete
A Publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
May 2014
Shipbuilders Celebrate Pressure Hull COMPLETE Shipbuilders who are building the fast attack submarine John Warner (SSN 785) and the ship’s crew paused from their work April 3 to celebrate reaching “pressure hull complete” – a milestone signifying all the submarine’s hull sections are joined to form a single, watertight unit.
on all of the hard work that has gone into this important vessel.”
“This is a proud moment for John Warner’s shipbuilders, both here and in Connecticut, and a significant milestone in the life of the submarine,” said Jim Hughes, Newport News’ vice president, Submarines and Fleet Support. “It’s a time when we can stop and reflect
“It’s pretty amazing to stand back and see what we’ve been building come together,” said Welder Isaac Belton, who worked on a 10-foot section of the hull seam with team members on the day and night shifts. “It took about a week to complete the inside of this section, and then
John Warner is being built under a teaming arrangement between Newport News and General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn.
another two weeks for the outside.” The shipbuilders shared their proud achievements with the boat’s namesake, Senator John Warner, and his wife, Jeanne Warner, the ship’s sponsor. John Warner will be the 12th Virginia-class submarine and is the only Virginia-class submarine to bear the name of a person. Before adding his signature to a banner signed by the shipbuilders and crew, Sen. Warner said, “Take pride, you who are present today and those in the yard who are working on other ships and the
families that support you. Take pride in understanding how you are preserving freedom for our nation and for other nations for the future ahead in this ever more dangerous world in which we live.” Electrical Test Foreman Don Richardson, who has been at Newport News Shipbuilding 26 years and is building his sixth Virginiaclass submarine, said, “This is the second hull in Block III, and there are some subtle differences in the design that make it challenging.” He added, “My teams work very well with each
other, and we work well with the crew.” Bryan Nester, an apprentice shipfitter on his first submarine rotation, said, “It takes a lot of physical labor to make the metal move, and it takes a lot of teamwork to make it all fit together according to the blueprints. Seeing the boat complete, seeing how sophisticated it is, and seeing what it looks like when it’s done is pretty exciting.” Pressure hull complete is the last major milestone before the submarine’s christening. The
submarine is about 80 percent complete and is scheduled for delivery to the Navy in 2015. “Once you reach this point you feel the urgency and the pace picks up,” said Construction Director Bob Bolden. “All the systems come to life and we know we’re getting closer to finishing the boat. It’s like running a sprint and a marathon together.” | By Gina Chew-Holman
On April 3, former Sen. John Warner (cover) addressed hundreds of shipbuilders and crew to celebrate the submarine bearing his name reaching “pressure hull complete.” Photo by Chris Oxley
WELDING FUTURE Into the
What will welding of the future look like? Newport News welders working on USS Abraham Lincoln’s (CVN 72) refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) think they have a good idea.
“When CVN 72 arrived in dry dock last March, test results showed that both of Lincoln’s rudder gudgeon bores, also known as the ‘rudder stock supports,’ needed significant refurbishment,” said Lead General Foreman Dave Keene. “NNS had never performed this type of work during an RCOH before, so this was a first for our team. We immediately began brainstorming ways to complete the task without impacting the ship’s undocking schedule.” The team looked at several options for welding inside the vertical 60-inch-long and 23-inch-diameter tubes and quickly realized that semi-automatic welding methods would be difficult and almost impossible due to the tight confines of the bore. “We decided the best option would be to construct a machine capable of performing the welding work for us inside the tubes,” said Darron Skinner Jr., who has been a welder at NNS for four years. “We teamed with Welding Services and were able to construct supports for a geared track inside the tube. We were also able to modify a welding tool we frequently use called a ‘single oscillation bugo tractor’ to bear two welding torch heads instead of just one.” This greatly reduced the time needed to complete the welding process because, with two torch heads, the machine was able to deposit approximately 100 square feet of weld inside each bore in just a few days, compared to the original estimate of three weeks for each bore. “This machine also made the processes more ergonomically sound because it eliminated the need for the welders having to enter the tube during the welding process,” said Foreman Jack Wright. “And, unlike a manual weld, it eliminated start and stop points, which ultimately produced a smoother metal finish, leading to an improved re-machining process.” The second step of the process required the welding of three nickel copper overlays to support the rudder bearing. This led to the development of orbital overlay equipment capable of welding inside the tube with a camera mounted at the welding torch to show bead placement, allowing the welder to see welding operations in real time. This success was the result of the teaming between welders, Welding Services, Training Services and Welding Trades Administration. Wright added, “By innovative thinking and execution, this team was able to complete the job and reduce man hours by 75 percent. We strongly believe that automated welding is the way of the future. This is just one example we have of craftsmen thinking outside the box and driving continuous improvement.” | By Lauren Ward Welders Darron Skinner Jr. (left) and Lee Jordan control welding operations inside CVN 72’s rudder gudgeon bores using a modified welding machine bearing two torch heads. Photo by John Whalen
E
Godfather
of Cranes
On January 19, 1972, Roosevelt Spence put his shipyard hard hat on for the very first time. Four decades later, his hard hat is far from new, but his pride in being a shipbuilder is more visible than ever. “I was hired in as a third-class helper to a pipefitter,” said Spence. “Words can’t describe how excited I was about becoming a shipbuilder. In fact, at the end of my first shift, I asked my supervisor if I could take home my hard hat. He said it wasn’t necessary, but if I really wanted to, then I could. For two weeks, I drove home to North Carolina with my hard hat proudly displayed on my back windshield – I wanted everyone to know I was a shipbuilder.” Ten months later, Spence was promoted to pipefitter. “Instead of being the helper, I had my own helper,” he said. “It was a good feeling.” As the years progressed, Spence continued to enhance his career every opportunity he was afforded. “I spent the majority of my lunches learning from the more experienced shipbuilders, reading manuals and teaching myself new skills,” he said. “I taught myself how to tack weld.” Spence also spent time cross-training with crane operators in the Pipe Shop. “I’d work on pipes until the crane operators needed assistance,” he said. “Over time, I began to spend more and more time operating the crane. Eventually, I became the primary crane operator in the shop.”
Today, Spence is the full-time operator of the 12.5-ton special-purpose service bridge crane in the Nuclear Pipe Shop. “I control the crane from the shop floor and move with it while it’s in operation,” said the longtime shipbuilder who has worked on every submarine and carrier since USS L. Mendel Rivers and USS Nimitz (CVN 68). “On an average day, I perform 25-30 lifts, but I’ve made as many as 52 lifts on a busy day.” Spence’s leadership and close attention to safety and quality earned him the nickname, “Godfather of Cranes.” “We call Roosevelt the ‘Godfather of Cranes’ because he’s the leader of crane safety and quality in the Pipe Shop,” said Superintendent Kenton Meland. “He’s our go-to guy whenever we have a critical lift. Spence has also been very willing to share his craft, serving as a mentor and role model for other shop craftsmen.” This Master Shipbuilder has no intention of retiring his hard hat anytime soon. He said, “I plan to continue learning, mentoring and passing on the pride I’ve felt throughout my career here as a shipbuilder.” | By Lauren Ward
Crane Operator Roosevelt Spence reaches for the hook of the 12.5-ton special-purpose service bridge crane in the Nuclear Pipe Shop. Spence controls the crane with a remote from the shop floor. Photo by Ricky Thompson
Montpelier
Saving
As the water drained from inside Dry Dock 4 on January 12, 2013, and the damage to submarine USS Montpelier could be fully seen, Fleet Support Director John Schoch and Superintendent Mike Chase realized that the repair effort ahead had just gotten tougher. An underway accident had damaged the boat’s rudder components, and the upper rudder and stock were both missing, but the draining water also revealed damage to the boat’s pressure hull.
Montpelier’s need for repairs had brought her back to Newport News Shipbuilding, where she was originally built and completed in 1993. Schoch said, “We knew we would need to engineer, price, plan and execute all at the same time.” In addition to space aboard the submarine being very tight, making repair work difficult, they also knew there would be many other challenges. Because this wasn’t a planned maintenance availability, Ship’s Force remained in control of the submarine, and the crew lived and worked onboard during repairs. “We had to build a room inside the submarine to contain the repair area and protect all the onboard systems and machinery,” Schoch said. “About 80 percent of the repair welding on the pressure hull was accomplished from inside the hull.”
Chase added, “Because most of our Fleet Support work is performed off-site and the majority of our team members were off working on other projects, it gave us an opportunity to utilize some new foremen in order to complete this one. If it weren’t for these young foremen thinking out of the box, plus our experienced guys working together, we couldn’t have gotten it done.” Structural and Mechanical Engineering, Steel Fabrication, the Machine Shop, the Pipe Shop and the south-side shops were all involved in the project. Their work included refurbishing rudder parts from the decommissioned NNS-built submarine Salt Lake City (SSN 716) to replace Montpelier’s damaged stern. Welder Doug Cook worked on the damaged hull. “I’ve never seen a hull cut that large,” said Cook. “The biggest challenge was the short amount of time we had to get started. This was a big task and everyone pulled together and did what they had to do.” The hull damage required a critically-shaped 12-by-18foot section weighing 41,000 pounds to be replaced just outboard of the ship’s main engine and turbine generator. Since submarines operate hundreds of feet below the ocean’s surface, their hulls are precisely shaped to withstand pressure from the weight of the water. Matching the hull’s shape would keep Montpelier safe for her crew and operational in the fleet. After 12 months, the ship was saved. Schoch said, “It’s the epitome of what NNS and Fleet Support can do.” | By Mike Dillard
The Newport News-built Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Montpelier (SSN 765) operates under its own power after an underway accident. Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy
Benefits & Wellness
Flowers and Grasses and Trees… The blooming flowers and trees of spring can be a frustrating interruption to many peoples’ daily lives. As Shipfitter Foreman Angela Bryant knows, a change in the seasons can mean allergy troubles ahead. The good news is the symptoms of allergies and asthma don’t have to mean an end to time spent outdoors. For Bryant, allergy-related congestion and sinus issues kept her from tending her much-loved flower beds. “I was avoiding the doctor and trying all kinds of over-thecounter medicines, and nothing worked. I finally went to see a specialist. He listened to my symptoms and recommended a treatment that really works.” Now Bryant knows more about controlling her symptoms and avoids things that trigger her allergies, like opening her windows in the spring. The following tips may help reduce your symptoms and get you outdoors enjoying the beautiful days ahead. Consult your doctor - Your health care provider can help you identify specific things that set off an allergy or asthma attack and establish a treatment method appropriate for you.
Monitor air quality – Checking pollen counts and air pollution levels for your area at www.airnow.com can help you limit your exposure to allergens that could leave you sneezing and wheezing. Wear a mask while doing yard work – Wearing a particle mask, available at hardware stores, over your nose and mouth will help keep allergens out of your airways and reduce the possibility of restricted airways or sneezing fits. Watch what you put into the air – Citronella candles and bug spray may keep the pests at bay, but they may also trigger an asthma attack. An unscented lotion repellant can help keep everyone breathing easy. Additional information about allergies and asthma can be found at websites for the American Lung Association, www.lung.org, and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, www.aafa.org. | By Angela Lawler Shipfitter Foreman Angela Bryant is all smiles after working with her physician to control her seasonal allergy symptoms. Photo by Chris Oxley
Congratulations to the 868 Master Shipbuilders at Newport News Shipbuilding. The men and women listed below have been building the world’s greatest warships for 40 or more consecutive years. Thank you for your service and dedication. John M. Adams Chauncey L. Adkins Wesley L. Agee* Larry D. Agnor David M. Ahearn Jr. James M. Albert Jr. Carroll M. Allen James E. Allen* James S. Allen Jr. Broderick L. Ames Robert B. Ames James E. Amos Clinton B. Anderson Michael J. Anderson* Ruby C. Anderson Larry A. Anthony Harold L. Applewhite Jr. Sandra B. Armstrong Larry J. Arrington Edward J. Artis Melvin Artis* William T. Artis Dean A. Ashe Alexander Askew Gerald S. Askew* Howard E. Askew Gilbert N. Askew Jr. Alvin S. Augburn Marie M. Austin William C. Ayers Charles K. Baber Cleo B. Badgett Louis C. Bagley Jr. Leon P. Bailey Perry M. Bailey Ronald D. Bailey Cecil L. Baker Gerald R. Baker* Donald R. Baker Jr. Joseph K. Ballard Harry L. Bandy* Davie B. Banks Sallie R. Banks Vernal Banks Willie A. Banks Jr. Barbara H. Banton Michael K. Barley Charles R. Barlow Jr. Thomas W. Barnes John T. Barrett Jr. William C. Bartlett Randy L. Batten William H. Bazemore Jr. Joenell Beaty* Billy K. Beebe Leroy Bell* Charles F. Belote Jr.* Edward C. Belvin Samuel A. Bent III* Stanley H. Benton* Darrell J. Bergeron* Robert T. Berkley Ernest L. Billups
Jimmie L. Bishop Jesse L. Black* Herbert A. Blackwell* Junious T. Bland Jr. Robert E. Blount Samuel D. Blue* Bernard D. Bolen Odes V. Bolin Jr. Bert L. Boone Bobby L. Boone Charles W. Boone* Hollis D. Boone Melvin C. Boone* Wayne W. Boone* David R. Boucher Peter M. Bower Gene E. Bowers James L. Bowers Benjamin R. Bowers Jr. Joey L. Bowser Osen F. Bowser Calvin L. Boyd* Dennis B. Boyd Randolph S. Boyd Christophe C. Boyd Jr. Cynthia Boyd-Williams* Willie M. Bracy George A. Bradby Joseph W. Bradley David S. Bradshaw Thomas H. Brady Jr. Dennis J. Branch Melvin Branch James K. Brandau Larry C. Brenner Michael G. Brewer Michael F. Brice Michael A. Brinkley* David M. Bristow Rodney Brock Benjamin L. Brokenburr Daniel L. Brookman* David L. Brookman* Larry D. Brooks Eugene Brothers Carl S. Brown Isaac L. Brown Leslie R. Brown Moses Brown* Nathaniel L. Brown Shirley L. Brown Stepney L. Brown William A. Brown Leaster M. Brown Jr.* Everett F. Browning* Silvester L. Browning Jerry T. Buchanan* Chip M. Buck William C. Bullock* Debra D. Burton* Samuel C. Burton Rayford E. Butler Joe F. Bye
Jesse J. Byrd James C. Byrum Marvin M. Cabe James E. Callis Wilbert G. Campbell Willie G. Carde Jr. Mark A. Carli Patrick S. Carmean Arthur R. Carr Michael L. Carr* Booker T. Carter Jr. Daniel W. Cartwright John N. Cary Jr. James E. Cash William D. Causey James P. Chappell Robert W. Chappell Waverly A. Charity James E. Cheek* Donald G. Cherry* James F. Cherry* Richard L. Chisholm Ronald L. Chisholm Yvonne Christian Wendell Clark Kenneth R. Clarke Phil P. Clarke* Lorenza Clayborne William P. Clayborne Jr. Tyrone L. Clayton James A. Clemons William P. Cochran Jr. Jessee L. Coleman William R. Colligan Raymond D. Collins Michael E. Combs David L. Compton Raymond D. Conyers Elton I. Cook Thomas G. Cook Ezekiel C. Cook Jr. Bernard E. Cooke Sylvester Cooper Jr.* Dan A. Copeland* Harold D. Coston Ora M. Council* Jessie P. Cowden William E. Craig Willie Crandell* Eugene P. Creswell Jr. Kenneth W. Crocker Jr. McEll Cross* Dennis M. Crump* Monrickie R. Culotta George O. Cunningham Frank Dancy James D. Dangerfield Terry W. Daniels Larry Davis Larry Davis Marion W. Davis* Calvin L. Davis Jr.* Walter H. Day*
Theodore A. Daye Henry A. Deese Jr. Randolph Deloatch Philip M. Delp Bettie A. Den Dekker Russell R. Dennis Alvester D. Dent Steven B. Dickens Larry W. Dickerson Betty J. Dickson David T. Diggs Dempsey M. Dillard* Robert W. Dillard Jr. Edwin T. Dise Charles W. Dixon Hester H. Dixon Lewis H. Dixon Stanley E. Dixon Aaron L. Dove John T. Drake Herbert V. Driver* Waverly V. Dryden* Thomas A. Drye Glenn A. Duck Roscoe M. Duck Jack W. Dunn James L. Durham James E. Durie Arthur R. Dyke Jr. Alvin L. Eason* Charles R. Eason Josandra M. Eason Vance S. Eason* William G. Eaton Jr. Frank L. Edmunds III* Henry J. Edwards* Robert C. Edwards Phillip R. Eley* Joseph T. Elias Jr.* Larry Elliott Jarvis Ellis Wayne D. Ellison Tyrone Epps Charles W. Epps Jr. Joe M. Eure William H. Eure Jr. Langston D. Everett James E. Everette James H. Faulk Randolph Favors Roy W. Fennell George E. Fenner Jr. James L. Ferguson Dana A. Ferrell Ronnie C. Ferrell Philip W. Fetter Samuel E. Fields Allen T. Fincher Eldridge P. Firth Ralph R. Fish John Fitchett John W. Fitzgerald* Larry D. Fleetwood
Randall G. Flowers* William B. Flowers Richard C. Fogle* Lynn C. Folks* Hjalmar J. Fond Reginald A. Foote* Kevin B. Forrest Walter I. Fortenberry Christopher E. Fox Larry D. Freeman Robert M. Fulcher Donald L. Fulford Alvin J. Fulgham Leary C. Futrell* David A. Gaines Otis A. Gallett Carl W. Garner Robert C. Garrett* Robert G. Garris* David O. Garrison Deborah R. Garrison Roland A. Gatling Jr. Walter T. Gay Jr.* Karl A. Gayles Craig J. Gelfenbaum Thomas M. Gentry* Herbert A. Getts John M. Giles* Charles T. Gilley Ralph B. Gilley Thomas E. Gilliam Edward M. Gore Howard T. Gore Linwood E. Gorham* Harold W. Gowers Rodney K. Gramberry Larry L. Granby McDale Grant Percell Grant Raleigh H. Grant Robert N. Grant* James Grant Jr.* Ervin T. Graves Linwood L. Gray Charles W. Green Ernest L. Green John M. Green Edwin L. Greene Robert W. Greer Jr. Douglas E. Gregory Carolyn J. Grimes Sim H. Hailey Edsel A. Hall Robert L. Hall Stephen T. Hall Edward W. Hall Jr. David L. Hamilton Alvin W. Hamlin Edward S. Hammond Charles E. Haramis* Wallace L. Hardy Jr. Kenny L. Hargrove Leonard E. Harper
Marvin C. Harper Norman R. Harr Larry R. Harrell Shelley R. Harrell Herman L. Harris Leon R. Harris Randy L. Harris Sharon C. Harris* Vincent L. Harris Winston Harris Darrell Harrison Lawrence D. Harry Mills Hart* Sherman L. Haskins* David R. Hastings Thomas B. Hasty Michael G. Hawk Robert S. Hawk Darnell Hawkins Ernestine T. Hawkins Patrick H. Haynes III* Jerold H. Heard Yonnie M. Hedrick Charles R. Heinen Clifton M. Henderson Roger A. Herndon* James E. Herring Judy A. Hester Jerome C. Hicks* Leogie Hicks James E. Hicks Jr. Oliver D. Hill Joyce A. Hines Thomas H. Hines David R. Hinnant Woodrow E. Hitt Robert W. Hoar* Lynn O. Hobbs Sr.* Michael W. Hobson Charles E. Hodges Jr. Rodney W. Holdren James A. Holiman Gerald D. Holland Richard T. Holley Rosita E. Holley Milton R. Holloway Tommie L. Holloway Julian W. Hollowell James A. Hopkins Donald L. Hopson Gene E. Hopson Larry L. Horne Glenn Horton* Marcus G. Howard Jerry T. Howell Charles W. Hubbard Michael E. Hucks* Charles K. Hudgins John M. Hudnall* Otey R. Hudson III Jeffery L. Hughes Charles H. Hundley Jr. Ralph U. Hunt
Willard M. Hunt Jr.* Charles F. Hunter III* Ray L. Ivey* Allen O. Jackson Stanley A. Jackson* Jerome Jacobs* Richard R. Jacobson Milton M. James Richard L. Jamison Burleon M. Jarrell Robert L. Jarrett Jeremiah Jefferson John B. Jeffries Jr. Ronald W. Jenkins Fred T. Jenkins Jr.* Willie A. Jenkins Jr.* Walter G. Jennings Arnold Johnson Clark Johnson Ross O. Johnson* Gustavus Johnson II* John W. Johnson Jr.* Sam Johnson Jr. Alfred Jones Charles P. Jones Coloris M. Jones Danny R. Jones Donna L. Jones Ernest L. Jones Herley Jones John E. Jones King E. Jones Lee B. Jones Neal R. Jones* Paul D. Jones Timothy L. Jones Vincent L. Jones Willie M. Jones Edward E. Jones Jr.* Allen T. Jordan Cornell L. Jordan David G. Jordan Samuel Jordan William M. Jordan III Everett H. Jordan Jr.* Deildra R. Joyner* Keith S. Joyner Lloyd D. Joyner Patricia A. Joyner Tony L. Joyner David R. Joyner Jr. James M. Keemer Jr. Linkous D. Keene James R. Keenehan Walter S. Kelley Colin R. Kelly Alphonso Kelly Jr. Clifton L. Kemp Robert B. Keyes Guy E. Kilburn Asa K. Kilmon David C. King Kenneth A. King Michael W. King* William D. King Jr. Carlton R. Knight John M. Knight Louis D. Knight William T. Knight* Ern A. Koehler Jr. Allen O. Kreicar* Thomas E. Kukucka Marcus S. Land Michael D. Lane Garland E. Langhorne Shirley S. Langston Joseph D. Leach* Janet S. Leake James B. Leber* David W. Lee Napoleon Lee John G. Leftwich
Edgar W. Lemon* Arthur L. Lewis* Larry R. Lewis Mark S. Lewis Mary O. Lewis Twanna C. Lewis Ronald C. Liles Barney L. Lincoln Alphonso Lipscomb Steven W. Little Tyrone Little Gary E. Livingston David W. Lockett Jr. Carlton E. Lockley William T. Logan Earl Long George W. Lorrison* Michael E. Lowrie Elmer Lundy James E. Lynskey II James E. Mabine Clyde M. Madeira Mary M. Major Robert A. Maker Joseph Mallory Jr.* Richard D. Maloy Jr. Carolyn B. Mann George E. Marble Willie C. Marlins III Ernest L. Martin Howard L. Martin James M. Martin Jon L. Martin Ray B. Massengill Charles E. Massie Jr. Lemuel L. Mathias Candice G. Matney* Slater B. Matthews Jr. Lewis D. Maynard Woodrow K. Maynor Dannie D. McCain Yvonne B. McClanahan Roger N. McClinton Jr. David F. McCoy Paul A. McGuire John S. McIntyre Jr. Eugene McKoy Raymond L. McNair Neal A. McNeill John N. Meadows Jr. Gilbert E. Meekins* Michael T. Melago Dennis D. Menser Thomas E. Merilic* Lloyd W. Merritt Anthony J. Michura Timothy J. Miller Horace G. Milteer III Donnell Mitchell James C. Mitchell Jay K. Mizelle Sherman W. Mizelle Ernest F. Montgomery Jerome Moody Steven Moody Timothy G. Moody William T. Moody Bernard L. Moore Calvin Moore Clinton R. Moore Clyde A. Moore Granville S. Moore III Herbert L. Moore Jr. Joseph E. Morgan Charles R. Morris Dennis L. Morris La Mar S. Morris William E. Morris Wilma B. Morris Larry F. Munn Michael G. Munn Robert S. Murdock
Johnnie F Myers Jr. Glennie A. Neal-Rosemond Ray G. Nelson Ronald L. Nelson* William T. Nelson William T. Newbern* Jackie R. Newby* Pernell Newby David L. Nicholas Charles E. Nichols James T. Nicholson Sandra D. Nicholson William H. Nicolls III Richard M. Nicosia James R. Norris Lawrence H. Offield Jr.* Steve T. Oliver* Lyle V. Oney Elbert Outerbridge Arnold D. Outlaw Linwood G. Outlaw Jerry L. Owenby Eddie G. Owens Eddie J. Owens Reginald L. Owens John R. Owney John E. Pace Wallace R. Paige Patrick M. Painter* Joann S. Panuska Henry W. Paris* Archie Parker Harold E. Parker Kenneth L. Parker Melvin C. Parker Charlie L. Parker Jr. Warner L. Parker Jr.* John L. Parks* Larry D. Parks James E. Parrish James A. Paul Lawrence G. Pauley Eddie C. Payne Luther H. Peacock Ella Y. Peele* Walter L. Peele Joseph A. Pegram John A. Pellum Bert L. Pender Herman M. Peoples Jr.* John H. Perkins Michael L. Perkins Kenneth E. Perrin Clifton R. Perry Willie R. Peterson* Ernest T. Peterson III Earl Peterson Jr. Lacy N. Phibbs D’Arcy E. Phillips Jr. Lionel Pickens Charles A. Pierce Kermit L. Pinkard John R. Plaster Bennie T. Plessinger II Daniel D. Pleva David S. Pogorelec Calvin C. Polk Joseph G. Porch Jr.* Carol B. Porter* Dale R. Porter Dwight A. Powell Kenneth O. Powell Warren A. Powell Thomas G. Powell Jr.* Willie S. Poyner Jr. Karen Primm David L. Puckett Marilyn B. Purdie Opie D. Quesenberry Philip G. Quinn* Eddie J. Raiford* Johnnie R. Rainey
William L. Rains Jr. Wayne B. Rammell Thomas J. Ransom* Larry D. Raynor Kenneth E. Reddick Ricky L. Reid Henry B. Rice Jr. Lee E. Richards Alphonso Richardson Larry N. Richardson Sandra V. Richardson Wayne Richardson Edward L. Ricks Maurice R. Riddick David C. Ritter Nelson A. Rivera David H. Roane* Randolph M. Roane Jr. Eugene H. Roarty Linwood A. Robbins Brenda L. Roberson Kermit L. Roberson Enoch T. Roberts John J. Roberts Michael G. Roberts Calvin W. Robinson Edward G. Robinson Purcell Robinson Richard P. Robinson Jr. Henrietta L. Rogers Michael E. Rollins Brenda R. Roth William L. Routten Irving G. Routten Jr. Fenton D. Royle* Marvin L. Ruffin Thomas L. Ruffin Jerry M. Samuels Jr. Woodrow Sanders Jr. John W. Savage Joseph H. Schaffer Robert J. Schaffner Douglas L. Scott Earl Scott* Floyd J. Scott Herbert L. Scott Johnny B. Scott Randolph M. Scott Robert L. Sealey Louis W. Seegraves* William R. Sharp Jr. Michael A. Shelton* Wesley V. Sheppard Richard E. Shreiner James M. Shumate Larry D. Simmons McKinley Simmons Steven L. Simpson Harold M. Sinclair Vincent H. Sinclair Rufus A. Sipple Jr. Spencer T. Slade Jr. Bobby R. Smith Curtis Smith* Daniel L. Smith Daniel R. Smith David G. Smith Herbert D. Smith Howard L. Smith* Jay R. Smith Linwood O. Smith Prince A. Smith Ronnie L. Smith Russell E. Smith Thomas E. Smith Thomas Smith Charlie E. Smith Jr. John W. Smith Jr. William C. Smith Jr. Earl R. Smoot Jr. Michael R. Sneed Paul W. Soter
Joseph M. Sowder* David A. Soyars John W. Sparrow Roosevelt Spence John W. Spence Jr. Roberta H. Spencer* Willie E. Spencer Walter R. Spencer Jr. James M. Spratley Melvin E. Spratley* William O. Spratley Jesse R. Stallings Melvin Stallings Steven W. Stallings Lucious D. Stanfield Samuel T. Stanley Ivery L. Steele Edmund T. Stephenson Arthur M. Stephenson Jr. Timothy J. Stepp* Donald I. Steppe Eric L. Stevens Martha A. Stevens Randolph N. Stewart Theodore L. Stewart Rickie Stith* Norman Stith Jr. Elisha J. Stokes Ocie S. Stokes* Calvin K. Strayer* Barbara M. Strickland William N. Strum Jr. Ernest A. Stubbs Ralph E. Suggs Donald L. Suits Thomas L. Suits Heber E. Sullivan Robert L. Sunday Michael C. Surber Thomas R. Sweat Robert E. Swinton Robert L. Sylvester Rowland W. Taliaferro James V. Tann Marvin E. Taylor Stanley Taylor* Timothy E. Taylor* Paul K. Taylor Jr. John N. Teague Jr. Johnny W. Temple Mark K. Tessarolo Allen H. Thacker Harold R. Thomas Shirl T. Thomas Dellmon P. Thomas Jr. Samuel L. Thomas Jr. David O. Thompson Maurice E. Thompson Claude Thompson Jr. Frank H. Thorn James K. Thornton Milton B. Thornton Jerry R. Tilley Ernest C. Tolliver Harvey N. Tomlin Lindell C. Toombs Ethelria L. Townes Harold E. Trussell Michael H. Trussell* Gary R. Turner Roland C. Turner Rufus D. Turner Willie L. Turner* Charles W. Tweedy* Harold D. Tynes Phillip C. Ussery Judy C. Uzzle Roland J. Vaillancourt Jr. Thomas R. Vann Arnold C. Vass Charles E. Vassar Robert E. Vaughan
John T. Verlander Jr.* John E. Viars Jr. Samuel I. Vreeland David R. Wade David M. Waff* Kenneth J. Walker* Willie L. Walker* John E. Wall Eileen D. Wallace Johnny M. Walton Roy L. Walton William E. Waples III James A. Ward Lyle D. Ward Samuel Ward Jr. Johnny H. Waters* Tom G. Waters Jr. Donald E. Watkins Jr. Demetrius E. Watson Paul B. Watson Pernell Watson Raymond L. Watson Judith F. Weatherly Thelbert Weaver Jr. James B. Weeks Michael E. Weirich Donald W. Weiss* Johnnie R. Welch* Herbert R. Wells* William L. West* Herman K. West Jr. James M. Westphal Nancy M. Wheless* Aaron E. Whitaker Herbert L. Whitaker Jr. Arthur L. White Bobby R. White Charles E. White Daniel L. White* Gene White Edgar P. White III Thomas L. White Jr. Effie L. Whitehead Tommie L. Whitehead Wendell C. Whitehead Lanier M. Whitley John T. Wiggins Jr. Everett M. Wilkerson Anthony W. Williams Benford D. Williams Jimmy R. Williams Kenneth F. Williams Larry J. Williams Leon Williams Melvin J. Williams Paul D. Williams Lamar E. Williams Jr. Robert L. Willis Samuel K. Wilson Wallace E. Winborne Nadine R. Winkles* Francis T. Wolak* Bobby L. Womack Sanford Womack Larry B. Wood Stanley K. Wood Neal T. Woodard* James H. Woodous Richard S. Woods James B. Woodson Wesley I. Wooten John H. Wright Kenneth E. Wright* Kenneth R. Wyatt* Robert L. Wyckoff Jr. Theodore Wynder Sr. Herbert L. Young John W. Young Jr. David J. Youngs* Chris S. Zambas * New Master Shipbuilders
Making a Difference
Setting the Stage
Production Planning Manager Michael Westenberger spends his days managing a team of 11 and scheduling work for the refueling and complex overhaul of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and work integration for Ship’s Force. But that doesn’t mean he’s afraid to pick up a power tool once in a while. For the past three years, he has spent many weekends armed with hammers and power drills and covered in sawdust and paint. As a volunteer, he designs and builds stage sets at area community theaters in Williamsburg, where he and his family have lived for 21 years. “Community theater is an outlet for creativity and expression,” he said. “It provides an opportunity for people from all backgrounds and walks of life to come together, collaborate and work toward a common goal.”
His dad taught him how to use power tools at a young age and taught him about integrity. “‘If it’s worth doing, do it right, even when nobody is watching,’” he said, quoting his father. Westenberger is constructing a small forest and giant children’s books for The Williamsburg Players’ upcoming summer production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. His wife Christina is directing the family-friendly musical, and his two children are in the production as Hansel and Gretel. “It’s really a family affair. My wife is an actress and singer, and I build sets because people do not want to pay to hear me sing,” he joked. | By Jeremy Bustin Shipbuilder Michael Westenberger spends many weekends constructing sets for area community theaters. Here, he builds a tree stump for an upcoming musical production in Williamsburg. Photo by John Whalen
Yardlines is published 10 times a year for the employees of Newport News Shipbuilding. This issue of Yardlines was produced by: Jeremy Bustin, Gina Chew-Holman, Troy Cooper, Mike Dillard, Christie Miller, Eugene Phillips, LaMar Smith, Peter Stern, Susan Sumner, Lauren Ward and Kimberly Zayakosky. Photographs by: Chris Oxley, Ricky Thompson and John Whalen. Editor: Gina Chew-Holman Send comments, questions and story ideas to gina.chewholman@hii-nns.com or call 757-380-2627. To stop receiving Yardlines, go to nns.huntingtoningalls.com/Yardlines to unsubscribe. Look for more news at nns.huntingtoningalls.com.
Long Service MASTER SHIPBUILDERS
APRIL
Phil C. Acol 40 years
Larry Byrd 40 years
Norm Harr 45 years
Betty “B.J.” Jones 40 years
James A. Keemer Jr. 50 years
Willie Kemp Jr. 40 years
Mel Lindgren 40 years
Moe Maynard 40 years
L.E. Mitchell 40 years
Peggy “Peg-E” Norman 40 years
Mike Parker 40 years
Melvin Poyner 40 years
Jimmy Riddle 40 years
James H. Rogers 40 years
James Ryan 40 years
50 YEARS James M. Keemer Jr. X11
Michael F. Parker O46 Melvin W. Poyner Jr. X42 James A. Riddle X11 Thomas M. Ridley X36 James H. Rogers X36 James E. Ryan X42 James Uzzle Jr. X70 Truman N. Wise O43
Charles S. Evans O53 Wanda L. Evans X32 Charles B. Franklin X32 John A. French O41 Theodore R. Hall X87 Harold J. Hill Jr. X31 Nathan Holt Jr. O67 Michael J. Hoyt E10 Anita L. Jackson O14 Dennis M. Jones E21 Charles E. Kearney Jr. X70 Robert W. Keller O46 Mark D. Kirkley X36 Daniel G. Klemencic X71 Mallory Lane X11 Vernetta G. Marble E45 Michael J. Martin X89 Lawrence S. Masters X82 David E. Parsons O39 Keith E. Pfleger X31
Richard L. Plumlee Jr. X82 Robert B. Rayburn X31 Phillip L. Saunders X91 Steven Skippers E84 Randy Smith X31 Anthony Tucker X36 Mattie M. Urquhart X36 William S. White X11 Willie E. Whitehead X32 Jeffrey M. Wickens X33 Craig L. Wiggins X31 Jonathan T. Willard X82
Major L. Chappell O04 Karen G. Enos O51 Alonza J. Frazier Jr. E83 Edward W. Haagsma E56 Aaron P. Johnson O46 Michael K. Johnson X36 Claude O. Jones III E69 Amy K. Madray X10 Robin K. Moody X42 Ralph M. Robinson T53 Michael A. Royster E17 William M. Ruffin Jr O58 Roger A. Rush E24 Tony R. Skinner X43 Lisa V. Slade O46 Robert V. Sparrow III E56 Linda S. Vinyard E68 Curtis L. Ware X88 Robert M. Waters Jr. K76 Stewart R. Welch X70
Kenneth L. Wiggins X82 Brian K. Wilkins X36 David C. Wilson E84
45 YEARS Norman R. Harr X31 William L. Routten X36 40 YEARS Philip C. Acol X43 Larry L. Byrd X36 Teresa L. Clifton E39 Marcus A. Cox E03 Jay E. Harvey X67 Richard D. Johnson X67 Betty L. Jones O04 Curtis W. Kemp Jr. O68 Malcolm J. Lindgren III X87 Richard C. Maynard III X11 Lenard E. Mitchell O39 Peggy B. Norman O14
35 YEARS Donald F. Archie O53 Addie M. Bailey M53 Norman B. Bannerman X18 Gerald W. Bouchard E17 Brian L. Bruce O43 Lloyd C. Clevinger II N206 Thomas A. Coleman O43 Loretta Dews O53 John R. Dixon IV N910 Bert A. Etheridge O37
30 YEARS Robert E. Alexander II X43 Mourad E. Amer E46 Darryl R. Ashe X33 Hank J. Atkins E22 Barry W. Babb E63 John M. Bronner E18
25 YEARS Cathy A. Cope AMSEC Curtis Q. Hall Jr. X88 Richard W. Keith E51 Audra A. Knox X70 John W. Sieger X09 20 YEARS Michael K. Carpenter E83 Alvin M. Powell T55 David B. Reineri T54 Cheri C. Smith AMSEC John W. Smits AMSEC James M. Stephens K76 Roger L. West N309 Martin R. Zak E19
Retirements MARCH Robert B. Ames X18 Michael J. Anderson X33 Charles B. Berkley Jr. X18 Shirley L. Brown X33 Carol C. Clark O28
Michael Clawson X42 David L. Compton O43 Patrick J. Crawford E62 William R. Cubbins Jr. E25 Kevin J. Davis E42
John T. Drake X36 Willie C. Gilliam X11 Myrtie E. Hayes X70 Gene E. Hopson X42 Floyd M. Houston Jr. X18
Michael J. Hudson X31 Thomas E. Knight O53 James W. Lane O98 Jerry W. Metcalf Sr. O64 Lawrence G. Pauley X36
Royal M. Rogers X88 Thomas Smith X33 Robert L. Stephenson X18 Cornelius A. Taylor III E81 Larry A. Thomas E44
James H. Woodous X18
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EAU CLAIRE WI PERMIT NO. 366
May 2014
NNS Safety Report *Compared to figures from March 2013
Year-to-Date Injuries 268
-23%
+11% Year-to-Date Injuries with Lost Time 102
+7% Year-to-Date Lost Work Days 2,203
At a special dinner at the Hampton Convention Center on April 24, Newport News Shipbuilding celebrated the careers of 868 men and women who have served the company for 40 or more consecutive years. Attendees at the 25th Annual Master Shipbuilders Recognition Ceremony included: Front Row (L to R): Sharon Harris and Twanna Lewis. Center Row (L-R): Tom Joyner and Otis Gallet. Back Row (L-R) Michael Erwin Hucks and Hollis Boone. Photo by John Whalen