Yardlines, July 2014

IN THIS ISSUE Foundry Fires Up New Furnaces CVN 72 Shipbuilders Working Smarter

Yardlines

Photo by John Whalen

NNS President Hosts Town Hall Meetings

A Publication of Newport News Shipbuilding

July 2014

2014

Town Hall During May and June, Newport News Shipbuilding President Matt Mulherin met with nearly 20,000 employees across the shipyard during 10 Town Hall meetings. He wanted to share what was on his mind about important topics that affect the shipyard, and he also wanted to hear from employees.

Lunch was provided and Mulherin and other NNS leaders gave out new lanyards with a badge card listing important NNS phone numbers. Employees had an opportunity to ask questions from a microphone stand and speak with him following his remarks.

“I think it was great that he came out to speak with us and show his appreciation for what we do,” said Matt Sullivan, a welder who attended the night meeting with more than 2,000 second and third shift employees. “It was good to hear this information from the top so we are all looking at the same page.”

Electrical Engineer Aaron Green, who attended the June 18 Town Hall at Building 901 said, “It was good that our president took the time to tell us what’s going on, especially with future projects like the refueling of CVN 73 (USS George Washington).”

To view a compilation video of the 2014 Town Hall meetings, visit Yardnet, the company’s intranet website.

TOP 5

Questions & Answers During the 10-stop tour, here were the most frequently asked questions and Matt Mulherin’s responses.

Can you share some of the things you are doing with regards to security in and around the shipyard?

We can’t discuss all the things we do behind the scenes, but rest assured that we meet or exceed all Department of Defense security requirements, and we also work very closely with local law enforcement. We have a

skilled team of security professionals on staff, but just like with safety, security is also everyone’s responsibility.

All 23,700 of us must be vigilant to protect each other, our ships and our data. If you ever notice anything that seems out of place or doesn’t seem quite right, please report it to Security at 380-4031 for non-emergencies or call *911 or 380-2222 for emergencies.

If we don’t get funding for USS George Washington’s refueling and complex overhaul, will layoffs affect both hourly and salaried employees, and will the new business acquisitions in the energy market supplement shipbuilding if defense spending continues to dwindle?

We have learned that funding is expected to be restored

Photo by John Whalen

for the RCOH, and we are currently in discussions with the Navy to begin the advance planning efforts, with work expected to begin in 2017. Such a decision will help to maintain job stability for our shipbuilders. It also demonstrates broad support and commitment by our military leadership and by our elected leaders to maintain 11 aircraft carriers in the Navy’s fleet, and to maintain the critical industrial base necessary for construction and maintenance of complex and highly capable ships.

Congress still must fund the program in the 2015 defense budget, which is expected later this year. So while this is not the final step, it is a big step in a positive direction.

With regards to the Energy business, there is not an immediate opportunity for it to supplement losing a big

contract like an RCOH. However, as we continue to grow in this area, it could lead to future opportunities for our shipbuilders.

Why isn’t the shipyard implementing summer hours this year for those working outside in the heat of the day?

We made the decision not to change to summer hours because each time we do it, half the workforce likes it, and the other half is burdened by it. Although it seems like a simple thing to do, it has ripple effects that impact people’s lives outside of work. Many shipbuilders have to change their daycare schedules, bus schedules, and other things like this to accommodate a new, temporary work schedule. It becomes burdensome for many, and Continued on next page

so we decided to stick to the normal schedule and implement liberal leave for the days we experience extremely hot and humid conditions. Additionally, the leadership team is looking for opportunities to move people out of the heat and humidity or to improve ventilation or add cooling, such that people can work their full shift in a safer environment.

What are you doing to help the parking situation?

Why not build parking garages?

There is no doubt that parking is and has been difficult for years. We’ve evaluated the use of parking garages, but have concluded that they might present a hazard and major bottleneck as everyone tries to leave at the same time. Also, the per-space cost is nearly 10 times that of a regular space. Given how work shifts from the North Yard to the South Yard (when a carrier moves), it is also difficult to find a location that would accommodate a constantly moving workforce.

We have implemented a few things to try and make parking less of a problem. We’ve set up “Park and Ride” lots in the North Yard and along Warwick Boulevard, along with shuttle buses. We monitor those lots and the riders to adjust for demand. We also provide an NNS “taxi service” that helps employees get between different buildings and, in case of a special or emergent need, will get them to their car.

Ultimately, part of the solution has to be encouraging other ways to get to work, such as carpooling, buses and vans. That’s why we’re involved with TRAFFIX, a local group that helps find solutions to congestion, and why we provided 1,000 Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) annual passes last year.

I guess the only good thing about not having enough parking spaces is that it means we have a stable and growing workforce. But we know parking is probably the number one complaint of our workforce, and we will continue to look for new and innovative solutions.

What are we doing to allow employees to bring camera phones to work?

We have been meeting with our Navy customer to discuss options for bringing camera phones on-site. So far, we have not been successful at developing a plan to allow for camera phones while also maintaining our strict security requirements.

We understand it’s a huge quality of life issue for our employees. If I could solve the camera phone situation during my tenure as president, I know it would make a huge difference for our shipbuilders. I promise you I am working on this – as is my entire leadership team.

We know this is an important issue to you, and will continue to look for solutions.

As USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) continues her refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH), thousands of shipbuilders are working hard to get the ship back to the fleet on budget and on schedule. Staying on schedule is no easy task because every ship arrives with unexpected challenges. For Lincoln, 25 years at sea had left all four of her catapults badly corroded.

“We needed to replace the bottom 22 inches on both walls down the full length of the catapult,” said Shipfitter Kenneth Freeman. “After cutting the old steel out, we needed to bring in 52 new steel plates in each catapult, each weighing 320 pounds.”

Moving heavy steel is a routine task for shipbuilders, but this task was unique. The catapult shed, a temporary structure that protects the catapults from weather during RCOH, posed a serious obstacle to getting a crane in that could get the new plates into the catapult. At first, they brought in a specialized crane – one of two in the country – to move the new plates down the catapult, but decided it wasn’t the right solution. They needed to find something simpler.

That’s when Dave Riddle, construction supervisor on CVN 72, came up with the concept of the skateboard, a long plank on wheels that could carry the new steel plates

down the length of the catapult. The team had the skateboards made, and the simple solution quickly had the project back on schedule.

“The whole concept is to move the 320-pound plate without hurting your back,” said Luis Bonilla, a shipfitter who has worked every overhaul since USS Enterprise.

He had the idea of adding roller conveyors to the skateboards so the steel plates could slide over an obstacle midway down the fourth catapult. “We would have had five people lifting these plates. This is not only simpler – it’s a lot safer.”

Freeman agreed. “Our biggest thing is to work smarter, not harder. Before, we would have had to schedule a crane, remove the shed and hope the weather would be in our favor. Now, two guys can do the work on a rainy day. This is definitely something we can use on future overhauls.”

The whole team, which included the CVN 72 project and the shipyard trades that provided support, came together to meet the challenge of the corroded catapult trough walls, finishing one catapult a full month ahead of schedule and the rest on schedule. Dave Riddle praised the entire team, calling the project “one of the best orchestrated teaming efforts I’ve ever seen in my 27 years here.” | By Peter Stern Shipfitters Kenneth Freeman (left) and Luis Bonilla move steel plates on a simple, innovative system of conveyors on “skateboarders” in a catapult on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), an idea that reduced risk of injury, saved money and catapulted the project ahead of schedule. Photo by Chris Oxley

TH E THE

skil l SK I LL e x p e r iI ENCE ence EXPER COMES COM ES FROM f r om

When Joyce Hagins first stepped inside the Newport News Shipbuilding Machine Shop with its green skylights and loud machinery, she didn’t think she was going to be there long. She had just completed a machinist course in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and was the fourth woman machinist to be hired at NNS. She pushed her hard hat on a little tighter and went to work applying what she had learned. “It wasn’t long before two other girls I knew from the school were hired here, so it got better,” said Hagins.

That was 36 years ago, and Hagins is still in the Machine Shop. Today she works at a layout table where she interprets three-dimensional drawings, then marks measurements on stock material so another machinist can machine that material into the required part. The skill comes from experience, “But you have to be creative – a visionary – to be able to see the finished part in your head,” Hagins added.

Being creative is a big part of Hagins’ life. “I always wanted to be an inventor, and I went to the machinist school to learn how to use blueprints and drawings.”

Today Hagins holds two patents for some of her inventions. One is a kitchen cleaning station currently on the market, and the other is a design for a golf bag with rollers.

Hagin’s pastime is auto detailing. “My father ran a used car shop, and my brother and I had to clean them up and make them look new,” she said. As she explained, detailing a car isn’t just washing the exterior and vacuuming the carpets.

Hagins doesn’t stop with just detailing cars. She fully restores cars, too. Her first was a 1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle. “I’ve owned 57 cars,” Hagins said, “but I only have two now.”

Hagins said she has stayed at NNS for nearly four decades because she knows the job is important. “The things we make go into ships for the Navy – that’s working for a purpose.” | By Mike Dillard

Machinist Joyce Hagins at work at her layout table. Photo by John Whalen

Shipbuilders in the Foundry still use some of the tried and true methods of yesteryear’s shipbuilders to cast ship components weighing anywhere from under one pound to more than 70,000 pounds. Now, newly-installed modern equipment that has shipbuilders in the Foundry all fired up is paving the way for safer and more efficient practices.

Hal Hartel, a senior metallurgist who is retiring in August, said that a pair of new induction furnaces installed in May is a welcome change. “The old furnace was about 50 years old, and keeping it running was not simply a matter of repairs, as spares haven’t been available for over 30 years,” he said. “It’s a credit to the craftsmen and craftswomen of this shipyard that we kept that old furnace running as long as we did.”

Used for melting metals such as brass, bronze and steel, the new furnaces offer greater power and liquefy metals much faster. “When the metal spends less time being heated, the castings cost less, there is less wear and tear on the brick linings in the furnaces themselves, and there is less opportunity for an accident,” said Hartel.

There isn’t anything groundbreaking about the design of the new furnaces themselves, which look like large brick or concrete pots, but the new machines have brought greater efficiencies.

“We’ll be able to melt more metal in a shorter period of time,” said Furnaceman Tony Gravely. “With the old furnaces, it would take most of the day to do one heat.

With each of the new ones you could do two to three per day, and with both together, you could do five or six.”

One of its most impressive features, explained Apprentice Shanae Hilliard, is a built-in hydraulic lift that replaces a dated, wheel-controlled pouring. Now, when the molten metal is ready to be transferred to a ladle, the furnaceman on duty uses the electronic controls housed inside a shielded station to lift, lower and pour the molten metal down through a spout into a cranesuspended ladle. “There’s much more control now during the pouring,” said Hilliard. “And the station is shielded to protect the person managing the pour.”

With more than 3.6 million pounds of metal melted last year, shipbuilders in the Foundry look forward to greater efficiencies in safety, quality, cost and schedule that the new furnaces will bring.

“I’m so glad I was here to see it through, and know that I was able to contribute to a high-quality asset for the next generation of foundrymen,” said Hartel. | By Jeremy Bustin

Shipbuilders in the Foundry fire up new induction furnaces for a test melt. Photo by Chris Oxley

UITS

Stanley Jackson began his mornings at 4 a.m. with a cigarette and a cup of coffee before clocking in as general foreman for Machinery Installation on CVN 78 and CVN 79. He would have a few smokes at work in the yard’s designated smoking areas, and then more at home.

“It had always been a bad habit, and a pack a day is one too many,” said Jackson.

So last December – and with his physician’s encouragement – Jackson resolved to break the 37year habit in 2014.

Research shows nicotine can be as addictive as alcohol and hard drugs, which makes quitting difficult.

The benefits for those who do quit include: • Improved heart health and blood pressure • Better lung function • Increased sense of smell and taste Jackson was ready to swear off cigarettes beginning April 1, with a goal of being tobacco-free by the month’s end. That morning, he woke at 4 a.m., poured his coffee and headed for the garage.

“I wanted that cigarette some kind of awful,” Jackson said.

Benefits & Wellness

A few days later he dialed his Quit Coach, provided as part of his Huntington Ingalls Industries’ medical benefits, for advice. Her suggestion? Change the routine and head to the shower instead of the garage. The next morning, Jackson’s phone rang at 4:20 a.m. It was the Quit Coach checking to see if he had tried the new approach.

“She successfully talked me off the ledge. From that point, I didn’t have any problems in the morning,” he said.

Three months later, Jackson is seeing a difference in his health – and his lifestyle. He doesn’t have a nagging cough, and he’s exercising more. He walks the HealthWaves walking trails during lunch, bikes on the weekends and just completed his first NNS 5K in May. “I walked half and ran half. At 62, I think I did very well.”

And while some days are difficult, Jackson is in it for the long haul. This Master Shipbuilder has overseen demanding projects and put 38 submarines and four carriers in the water. Staying off tobacco? Yes, he can do that, too.

Want to quit using tobacco?

Check out www.hiibenefits.com for helpful programs.

Photo by Chris Oxley

CALLING IT

Making a Difference

FIRST MENTOR

When Systems Test Engineer Michael Wagar isn’t at the shipyard, chances are he’s mentoring high school students involved in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) organization. FIRST’s mission is to inspire young people to become science and technology leaders by engaging them in mentor-based programs.

Wagar was on a FIRST team in high school and has been a mentor since his freshman year of college. “I’ve always wanted to motivate students to think outside the box and work to their greatest potential – FIRST has given me that opportunity.”

Wagar is one of seven mentors who meet weekly with a 35-student team from Menchville High School. “We spend time building whatever is required, based on the type of event we’re competing in,” he said.

This year, the Menchville team, named “Triple Helix,” participated in FIRST’s “Robotics Competition.” The team

built and programmed a robot to perform various tasks.

The team won the regional event and competed in FIRST’s World Competition in St. Louis this past April.

“At World, we won our division and competed against four other teams in the championship round,” Wagar said. “We didn’t win the championship, but the students were able to return home with more knowledge than before and plenty of motivation for next year.”

Wagar enjoys watching students grow interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) career fields. He said, “There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing students get involved in a project and grow both academically and socially.” I By Lauren Ward Mentors Michael Wagar (left), and Todd Ferrante, NASA, listen to Menchville High School student Hunter Goodrich (right), explain a potential solution to a problem the robot was having during a match at the FIRST World Competition in St. Louis this past April.

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.

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Long Service MASTER SHIPBUILDERS

JUNE

Tommy Alston 40 years

Wally Armstrong Jr. 40 years

Bill Ayers 45 years

Calvin Batten 40 years

Michael A. Blount Sr. 40 years

James “Moe” Brantley 40 years

Pat W. Brown 40 years

George “Buck” Copeland 40 years

Alvis Golden 40 years

Percell Grant 50 years

Edwin “P-Green” Greene 45 years

Peter Griffith 40 years

Ray Hall 40 years

Marian Harris 40 years

Jeff S. Horner 40 years

Quentin “Quincy J” Jones 40 years

Ben H. Joyner Jr. 40 years

Darryle Knight 40 years

Paul D. Lux 40 years

Wilbert A. Meekins Sr. 40 years

Bill Cartson Mitchell 40 years

Cynthia Moore 40 years

Glenn Murphy 40 years

Shelton “Killer” Nowell 40 years

Grayson Page 40 years

Bill Price 40 years

Randy Roane Jr. 45 years

Robby Robinson 45 years

Joe H. Schaffer 55 years

Randolph P. Scott 40 years

Milton “M.Q.” Smith 40 years

Norman Stith Jr. 50 years

Dellmon Thomas Jr. 45 years

Bert A. Tynes 40 years

John “Bud” Urquhart 40 years

John E. Viars Jr. 45 years

Long Service MASTER SHIPBUILDERS

Wayne “Nightowl” Walker 40 years

Robert Walton 40 years

55 YEARS Joseph H. Schaffer O04 John E. Wall M53

Arnold R. Hall X42 Marian Harris X42 Jeffrey S. Horner X11 Quentin L. Jones X36 Floyd E. Jordan X18 Benjamin H. Joyner Jr. O39 Darryle O. Knight X11 Paul D. Lux O46 Wilbert A. Meekins X32 William C. Mitchell X11 Cynthia R. Moore X10 Glenn Murphy X11 Shelton Nowell X32 Grayson L. Page X42 William J. Price X50 Hosea A. Salaam X72 Randolph P. Scott X11 Milton Q. Smith X82 Bertram A. Tynes X11 John W. Urquhart X42 Wayne A. Walker X18 Robert G. Walton X31

50 YEARS Percell Grant O43 Norman Stith Jr. O53 45 YEARS Carroll M. Allen O45 William C. Ayers X36 Edwin L. Greene X33 Richard L. Jamison O87 Randolph M. Roane Jr. T53 Richard P. Robinson Jr. E51 Dellmon P. Thomas Jr. X11 John E. Viars Jr. X70 40 YEARS Thomas K. Alston X36 Walter C. Armstrong Jr. O27 Calvin Batten O38 James E. Biron X72 Roger D. Blankenship O64 Michael A. Blount X31 Richard Boone Jr. X89 James Brantley O43 Patrick W. Brown X43 William B. Cave X73 George A. Copeland X31 James E. Elliott X18 Joseph G. Gauldin Jr. O64 Alvis L. Golden X18 Peter Griffith O64

35 YEARS Kent M. Baldwin E25 Stephen M. Barresi E01 Rudolph Boone E86 Brian K. Botkin M53 Rodney K. Burch X42 Pernell Byrd O48 Wayne A. Cato M53 Penny S. Cooper O14 John M. Cox E44 Mark S. Crutchfield X18

JUNE

Jeffery C. Davis X31 Michael J. Davis X33 Charles G. Day O39 William B. Fletcher O11 Kenneth M. Granby X42 Michael R. Guthrie O43 Jerry L. Hayden X82 William C. Hayes X42 Marshall E. Hearst O43 Raymond L. Herrmann Jr. O19 Harold V. Horten E71 Robert L. Hull O45 Lucius D. Johnson E86 Leonard L. Jones X31 Vernard L. Jones X31 Kevin A. Konouck O31 Rory D. Kraus E17 Richard J. Kutchen O41 Keith W. Latimer T54 Curl A. Lawrence X18 Rudolph Lawrence Jr. X43 Timothy W. Leftwich X87 Kenneth D. Lewis X15 Jerry A. Little O88 James E. Marsh X42 Clyde A. Monday III M20 Steven D. Moses O43 Charles C. Mule Jr. E86 Brian D. Nehrbass E20 Wanda T. Oboyle M25 Tony M. Owens O46 William R. Phillips III O98 Wayne A. Reed X31 Kaseen Riddick X70

Melvin E. Roberts X18 Warren L. Romans Jr. E25 Susan T. Sampson X70 Carolyn S. Sandidge E63 Larry E. Saulsbury X31 Dwayne A. Scott X43 Richard A. Shoemaker II O45 Michael E. Stallings X15 David F. Sterling O19 Matthew W. Subsinsky E25 Gregory M. Taylor X32 Richard L. Taylor E15 Alan N. Titcomb E41 William J. Triscritti O43 Mark C. Via X18 Derrick A. Ward M53 Kenneth E. Ward O46 Joanne Z. Watkins T55 Sterling L. White X11 Clinton L. Whitfield X88 Pieter F. Wielinga E19 Earl J. Wiese III X88 Curtis P. Williams X42 Jeffrey A. Wilson O39 Douglas S. Wulf X18 Robert L. Wynn X42 30 YEARS Michele L. Affolter O46 Michael R. Barber X75 John C. Becouvarakis E86 Alan L. Boone X18 Linda S. Carrithers E79 Linda J. Craft AMSEC

Donald C. Crenshaw X33 Mark D. Debbink E08 Daren D. Dickenson X70 Michael B. Fry E04 Donald C. Gay E81 Linwood A. Gilchrist O15 Jeffary A. Harris X82 Allen K. Harville X32 Day D. Irvin O03 Randall P. Kahler E17 Francis E. Kelly Jr. AMSEC Patrick E. Kennedy T53 Cynthia A. Kirby E01 Anson T. Knowles Jr. X73 Timothy P. Kurtz E84 Dean G. Lowery E41 Joseph J. McGuigan Jr. E73 Raymond A. Montgomery E01 Gilbert S. Newsome X33 James T. Obrien E01 Ronald S. Phillips E75 Marvin L. Pitts E57 H. K. Quarles K60 James T. Riddick Jr. E84 Frankie Robinson X43 Robert D. Rutledge E83 Lynn E. Showalter O37 Samuel A. Smyth E47 Daniel D. Steiger E25 Curtis L. Terry X31 Philip D. Tuckey E88 Phyllis S. Vaughan O46 Walter V. Warren O22 Gary L. Waters M53

Thomas H. Webb E25 Jon F. Williams O64 Lorenzo N. Williams X32 David L. Wilson E14 Henry A. Wise X82 Michael K. Woodard E21 Robert C. Wright O79 Ronald A. Ziencik E81 25 YEARS Scott T. Bohn O39 Melvin L. Diggs II E13 William W. Docalovich O61 Dan M. Miller CMSD Timothy G. Mulligan AMSEC Kenneth R. Mustard X36 Anthony O. Preyer X70 Nicky J. Rathbun X59 Michael D. Rivenbark E25 Todd L. Sedler E30 Russell L. Warren X31 Brian R. Welliver T53 20 YEARS Joanne A. Blanchette N960 Carroll A. Boykins Jr. X70 Robert A. Carmone E73 John E. Coffey Jr. K78 Lynn M. Giglio O19 John W. Sammons III E39

Retirements MAY Frances C. Barbrey X36 Billy K. Beebe X89 Regina Y. Blackwell X11 Willie R. Briggs X11 Kevin B. Brown X10 Frederick M. Burns III X36

Major L. Chappell O04 Teresa L. Clifton E39 Jessee L. Coleman X18 Burle J. Daniel O54 George B. Decker O20 Emeterio B. Dineros X31

Edwin T. Dise O22 Alvin W. Hamlin X33 Steven R. Harris O37 Jay E. Harvey X67 John P. Hewlett Jr. X43 Sandra L. Holloway X33

Robert W. Holtzer E61 James A. Hopkins X18 Walter G. Jennings X18 Alfred Jones X15 Earnest E. Jones X11 Edwin G. Kirtner X89

Raymond G. Lallak X89 Jerry L. Neaves X18 Johnny R. Norman E86 John R. Plaster X91 William D. Reinhardt N920 Julia C. Scoggins E12

David A. Soyars O53 David F. Sterling O19 Charles L. Swoope O38 Willie D. Vanhook O39 Wayne W. Walker O21 Willie P. Wiggins X36

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EAU CLAIRE WI PERMIT NO. 366

July 2014

NNS Safety Report *Compared to figures from May 2013

Year-to-Date Injuries 497

-18%

+10% Year-to-Date Injuries with Lost Time 181

Year-to-Date Lost Work Days 5,329

-3% Sailors aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) assemble in formation on the flight deck in honor of the carrier’s namesake’s 90th birthday June 12, 2014. CVN 77 is in the Arabian Sea supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. CVN 77 was christened at Newport News Shipbuilding October 7, 2006.

U.S. Navy Photo