DON'T MISS: WATER JET CUTTING MACHINE & SAFETY FAIR
SERVICE TO THE FLEET Norfolk Naval Shipyard
We Are America's Shipyard
June 2017
POINT MAN: Structural Department Production Manager J.C. Arline ALSO INSIDE: EYE ON INNOVATION & DIVERSITY SPOTLIGHT
Table of Contents
IN THIS ISSUE Features: 4 FROM THE COMMANDER Safety and Celebration at NNSY
5 TREE PLANTING Capt. Brown continues Earth Day observances
10 NEW TOOL New water jet cutting machine
12 EYE ON INNOVATION Innovating the practices and tools of tomorrow: the RPL continues to grow
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14 DIRTY WORK Sewage repair goes off without a hitch
16 SHIPYARD SPOTLIGHT Code 920 Production Manager J.C. Arline demands excellence
18 M-COP NAVSEA and shipyards come together for annual M-COP collaboration
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20 LOOKING BACK Reflections of WW2 tack welder Marie Roberson
25 CNO AWARDS NNSY and St. Juliens Creek selected for CNO Environmental Awards
26 DIVERSITY SPOTLIGHT Celebrating Pride at NNSY: Cassie Bower introduces the LGBT&A ERG
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VOLUME 80 • NUMBER 3 SHIPYARD COMMANDER Capt. Scott Brown DEPUTY COMMANDER Capt. Daniel Rossler
Service to the Fleet
Editor's Pick:
Code 700 hosts Safety Fair PHOTOS BY SHAYNE HENSLEY • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER
COMMAND MASTER CHIEF CMDCM (AW/SW) Michael Reese PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER Terri Davis EDITOR Anna Taylor PUBLIC AFFAIRS STAFF Michael Brayshaw, Kristi Britt, April Brown, Floyd Logan, Troy Miller, Curtis Steward, Jennifer Zingalie EMAIL THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE nfsh_nnsy_pao@navy.mil EMPLOYEE INFORMATION HOTLINE (757) 396-9551 FRAUD, WASTE & ABUSE HOTLINE (757) 396-7971 SHIPYARD RADIO ADVISORY 1630 AM SERVICE TO THE FLEET is a Department of Defense publication and is authorized for members of the DoD. Contents of Service to the Fleet are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Service to the Fleet is published monthly. Submissions are due on the 10th of each month. The public affairs staff reserves the right to edit submissions for content and brevity. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/NorfolkNavalShipyard1 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER www.twitter.com/NNSYNews WATCH VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE www.youtube.com/NNSYBroadcast VISIT THE NNSY HISTORY BLOG www.nnsyhistorymatters.blogspot.com READ STTF ONLINE www.issuu.com/nnsy
Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s Lifting and Handling Department (Code 700) held a Safety Fair for approximately 150 employees in Bldg. 268 May 3. Code 700 managers and employees participated in the event, learning about more than a dozen safety subjects such as fall protection, electrical safety, ergonomics, the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) and more. Personnel from the Branch Medical Clinic also attended to provide blood pressure screening and discuss the importance of meeting shipyard medical appointments. "The Code 700 Safety Fair did a number of different things for our code,” said Code 700 Safety Coordinator Candace Cooper. “Each division head worked a table, it gave waterfront employees and senior managers a chance to interact and discuss safety. The fair gave our people a chance to complete different activities and items from the VPP Passport 3 booklet. We also took the time to address a few issues we are having with injuries. We had a table dedicated to ladder climbing techniques and how to properly handle gear. Since the safety fair we have seen a decrease in injuries dealing with gear and ladders, which shows the tables were effective in bringing awareness.” “Our department safety fairs are geared to benefit the shipyard in improving employee knowledge of the safety and health programs at NNSY,” said VPP
Employees attending the Code 700 Safety Fair in Bldg. 163 browse their Voluntary Protection Program Passports and learn about NNSY's safety programs.
Manager Drew Holland. “Employees can improve their knowledge about the high risk programs such as fall protection, confined space, electrical, and hazardous energy control.” Holland added, “Don't forget about the Voluntary Protection Program at NNSY. Employees can stop by the fairs and learn why NNSY chose to own and oversee its safety and health programs. Everything about the safety fair can also assist employees in completing their VPP Passport 3 booklet. Don't have a book? Contact your department’s safety representative. A list of safety representatives is provided on WebCentral located under the VPP link.” JUNE 2017 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 3
From the Commander:
Safety and Celebration at NNSY
There’s much more to look forward to later in the year, including NNSY Day at the Norfolk Tides Sunday, August 20; our first Family Day in five years Saturday, Oct. 28; and our big 250th anniversary celebration Wednesday, Nov. 1.
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Greetings America’s Shipyard! June is National Safety Month, and it’s an ideal time to emphasize the importance of safety with the additional concerns during the hot summer months. As the temperatures continue to ramp up, shipyarders working out in the heat should acclimate themselves accordingly. Take a breather when you need to, find a cool or shady area, and constantly stay hydrated with water. Refrain from soda, coffee and energy drinks during this time of year. Be on the lookout for yourself or your co-workers showing any signs of heat stress. To show the shipyard is serious about combating heat stress, we’re adjusting the day shift hours for the summer effective June 12 to take advantage of the cooler morning hours. Electrical safety is a big concern in the summer as well. Never use electrical tools and/or equipment if you have damp, sweaty hands. Ensure you’re wearing dry gloves when handling welding lines, welding torches, electrode holders, or other welding equipment connected to an electrical power source. Ensure all tools are plugged into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protected outlet. We had a recent electrical shock due to a welding machine being left on; please power off equipment when not in use. Never stand on temporary services. Also do not handle, touch, move or relocate temporary electrical cables while energized. Treat all cables as energized until they’re determined to be de-energized. Temporary services should be elevated as much as possible; they should not be run on the ground or in water. The connections should also be elevated and protected from water intrusion. Issues we are seeing around the shipyard in recent weeks vary from sprains and strains, to eye injuries, to bodily harm resulting from slips, trips and falls. To prevent injuries such as these, please be aware of your physical limits, properly use all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and maintain awareness of your surroundings at all times. You’ve probably heard the shipyard’s 250th anniversary catchphrase: “an important past, a vital future.”
We absolutely need healthy and safe employees to ensure that future! Speaking of our 250th, we have many exciting events planned during the next several weeks to commemorate this all-important anniversary. There’s literally something special happening every week this month. We’ll be creating a human “250” on the Bldg. 1500 lawn at 11 a.m. June 8, so come out and be a lasting part of the shipyard’s photographic history. One week later on June 15, we’ll be cutting the ribbon for the restoration of the Shipyard Commander’s Quarters A. Following the dedication, Missy and I will be opening our home up for employees to tour the first floor of this historic residence. On June 21, we’ll be having our next Big Rocks ceremony with NAVSEA Commander Vice Admiral Tom Moore planning to attend and commend all the important work we’re doing. Then on June 29, we’re holding an America’s Shipyard Celebration. This will feature NNSY’s first “block party”-type event and internal career fair. At the fair, shipyarders will get to learn about what many of our shops and departments do in servicing the Navy and nation. There’s much more to look forward to later in the year as well, including NNSY Day at the Norfolk Tides Sunday, August 20; our first Family Day in five years Saturday, Oct. 28; and our big 250th anniversary celebration Wednesday, Nov. 1. I hope to see all of you participating in our many activities over the next several weeks. Our well-being includes pride and ownership in being members of this essential organization, so activities like these are not only fun, they’re also important. Let’s make it a safe and celebratory summer in America’s Shipyard! We are Norfolk Naval Shipyard. We are America’s Shipyard.
Capt. Scott Brown Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s 107th Commander
NNSY supports vital future for environment with tree planting
PHOTOS BY TONY ANDERSON • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER
Shipyard Commander Capt. Scott Brown dedicated a new Winter King Hawthorn tree planted behind Bldg. 1500 May 4. “The fact we’re planting a tree in our 250th year represents our future and the continued contributions to our country,” said Brown. “We want to not only do our job, but make the environment better.” The tree planting continued the shipyard’s springtime observances of Earth Day-themed events and symbolized the effort Norfolk Naval Shipyard puts into proactively establishing America's Shipyard as an environmental leader within the Navy. At the dedication, Code 106 Director Jesse Alspaugh pointed out that more than 1,000 White Dogwood trees were provided to shipyarders on Earth Day. “That’s above and beyond [environmental] compliance—that’s stewardship,” said Alspaugh. Norfolk Naval Shipyard and St. Juliens Creek Annex recently received 2016 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Environmental awards in recognition of outstanding accomplishments and contributions to improving the environmental performance of our Navy. JUNE 2017 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 5
From the Deckplate:
250 years old and America's Shipyard is looking great this summer
"Although our primary mission is to provide quality ship repair and overhaul services to surface craft and submarines on time and at minimum cost, it is our number one priority to accomplish our business safely."
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The weather is hot and getting hotter! As we move into the summer months, schools will be letting out, vacations will happen and work will continue here in the shipyard. Stay safe out there, at home, at work and remember to always stay hydrated! June is recognized as National Safety Month. Although our primary mission is to provide quality ship repair and overhaul services to surface craft and submarines on time and at minimum cost, it is our number one priority to accomplish our business safely. Remember: nobody gets hurt today. Safety is an all hands responsibility. Since the environment we work in is inherently dangerous, we must all have a keen awareness and understanding of the importance of safety. We must make every effort to provide a safe, healthful, and productive work environment for everyone. Be alert! Be safe! Recognize changes! Take action! The most vital asset of NNSY is its personnel. All command personnel, both military and civilian, must actively support safety and health matters through example and leadership in order to establish and maintain a safe, healthful work environment. Speaking of healthy, did you know that June is also Men’s Health Month? Men face unique health challenges, and one of the most dangerous is their reluctance to seek health care. In fact, according to
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), men are 24 percent less likely than women to have seen a doctor in the past year. Many of the major health risks that men face - such as heart disease and colon cancer - can actually be prevented and treated with earlier diagnosis. Screening tests can often find these diseases early, when they are easier to treat. For these reasons, it is crucial that men go against their tendency of avoiding health care and begin having regular checkups and screenings - for their sake and the sake of their families. This month’s CMC Shout-out goes out to all the Sailors who were recently selected for advancement to the next paygrade! Way to go Shipmates…BRAVO ZULU! For those who were not selected, start studying now to be prepared for the exam coming in September! You can do it, I know you can! Keep up the great work in the yard! As always, it is an honor to be in the Navy and a great time to be a part of America’s Shipyard, 250 years old and looking great! - CMC Sends!
Michael Reese Command Master Chief
HARDHART HEROES
Shipyard workers of Hampton Roads Portraits by Glen McClure Exhibition June 2 - August 6, 2017
Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center 400 High Street, Portsmouth, VA
Shipyard Insider: BUZZ & BYTES
ADMIN PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR » POSITIVE YARDAGE Roadrunners Twenty-seven Norfolk Naval Shipyard employees participated as runners in J and A Racing’s Corporate 5K road race at Harbor Park, Norfolk May 4. NNSY’s female team placed first in its category and the male team placed second in its category, and seventh overall amongst 65 teams. The members of the female team were Katie Swaving, Cassi Gray, Suzanne Copenhaver, and Jennifer Chase. The members of the male team were William Rehrig, Mark Aston, Brian Rogerson, and Daniel Fifer. Winning first overall was William Rehrig, Code 2340, with a finishing time of 15:48. Team Captain Mike Rice, Code 106, summed up Rehrig’s performance with one word: “wow!” Photo courtesy J and A Racing. OPSEC Award Congratulations to the Nuclear Business Office (Code 1200N), winner of Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s Operations Security (OPSEC) Award for the first quarter of 2017. Presenting the 8 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • JUNE 2017
Jennifer Duke is NNSY’s 2017 Administrative Professional of the Year! Jennifer received this honor April 26, an award co-sponsored by the shipyard’s Naval Civilian Managers Association and Superintendents Association. As the Operations Department’s (Code 300) administrator, Jennifer is known for her unfailing “can-do” spirit. “Jennifer is an exemplary model of multitasking management. Whether it is taking calls for Code 300, greeting visitors, accepting and sorting official correspondence, you can count on Jennifer to process and control several events masterfully at the same time,” said her supervisor Steve Conn. “Jennifer’s uncanny ability to look forward and foresee what might be coming down the road keeps the staff on project management and not crisis management.” Presenting Duke her award are NCMA Chapter President Mike Regna, Superintendents President John Floyd, NCMA Awards and Recognition Chair Valerie Wesson and NNSY Operations Officer Commander Joe Klopfer. Photos by Tony Anderson, NNSY Photographer.
award on April 18 were Shipyard Commander Capt. Scott Brown and OPSEC Manager Ernest Fentress. A special certificate of achievement was presented to 1200N’s OPSEC Coordinator Leslie Daniel. “In the year since she’s had the program, she hasn't missed a single OPSEC Working
Group Meeting and she remains very actively engaged with her entire department,” said Fentress. Congratulations Congratulations to Lt. Patrick Smith, honored with the Navy and Marine Corps
Commendation Medal April 28. Lt. Smith was recognized for his work as Assistant Project Superintendent and Docking Officer at the shipyard from May 2014 to May 2017. He supported the USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75) Planned Incremental Availability and USS Maryland (SSBN 738) Engineered Refueling Overhaul, among other vital efforts at the shipyard. Photo by Shayne Hensley, NNSY Photographer.
250 celebrating years
#SPIRITDAYS JUNE 23: Rainbow Day JULY 27: Wear Red, White and Blue AUGUST 25: College Pride SEPTEMBER 22: Rep your Military Branch OCTOBER 27: Pink Out Day NOVEMBER 1: NNSY Pride Day
SPECIAL EVENTS JUNE 29: America's Shipyard Celebration and career fair AUG. 20: Bring your family and join the fun for Norfolk Naval Shipyard Day at the Norfolk Tides Sunday, Aug. 20. Game time is 4:05 p.m. Gates open at 3 p.m. Ticket specifics will be provided at a later date. OCT. 28: Family Day at Norfolk Naval Shipyard NOV. 1: Norfolk Naval Shipyard Anniversary Celebration
FALL IN FOR COLORS SEPT. 11: 9/11 Fall in For Colors NOV. 9: Veterans Day Fall in for Colors
A Special Award Shop 67’s Jeffrey Overman may have helped save a shipmate’s life a few weeks ago. While recently on break attending a retirement class at Bldg. 30, Overman noticed a fellow shipyarder attempting to cough after choking on a cracker and turning blue. Overman sprang into action and performed the Heimlich Maneuver and successfully dislodged the food. “His quick thinking and reaction time was amazing,” said NNSY Assessment Improvement Coordinator Tracy Mills. Presenting Overman a Certificate of Appreciation on April 25 were Shipyard Commander Captain Scott Brown, Code 950 Group Superintendent John Veal, and NNSY Safety Manager Jeff Medrano. Photo by Tony Anderson, NNSY Photographer. Safety Fair Congratulations to the shipyard’s Electronics Shop (Shop 67), winner of the February and March 2017 Safety Flags, presented April 25 in Bldg. 510. Shop 67 had a flawless February of working safely, with no Occupational, Safety and Health injuries, no first-aid injuries and no lost workday cases. The shop also had no injuries for March. Contributing to this great performance are the frequent discussions between supervisors and employees about on-the-job safety concerns and focus on mitigating hazards while conducting Continuous Training and Development. Shipyard Commander Capt. Scott Brown and Code 106 leadership attended to present the award and commend the shop. Photo by Tony Anderson, NNSY Photographer.
Induction Ceremony Code 930 Mechanical Group Superintendent Alan Scott Fowler was inducted into the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Superintendents Association May 18 at Trophy Park. Family and fellow shipyard employees attended the ceremony in celebration of Fowler’s achievements. Photo by Shayne Hensley, NNSY Photographer.
» NNSY OUTREACH Capt. Scott Brown awarded Valerie Scott, Letishia Hayslett, Karen Harvin, Leroy Jones, Arifay Joyner, Carrol Roxbury, and Desiree Manley with certificates of appreciation in recognition of their commitment and dedication as tutors and mentors for Douglas Park Elementary School April 27. He awarded Quiana Crittenden a certificate of appreciation in recognition of her commitment and dedication as a tutor and mentor for Victory Elementary School May 2. “It’s an honor to support this program and to assist the children in our community,” said Brown. “Thank you to all of you who have joined in our outreach efforts.” Capt. Maria Silsdorf later awarded Christina Jaquilmac, Daniela Sanchez, and Bruce Cruickshank with certificates of appreciation in recognition of their commitment to Greenbrier Middle School May 12. JUNE 2017 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 9
NEW WATER JET CUTTING MACHINE AT NNSY By Kristi Britt • Public Affairs Specialist Photos by Shayne Hensley • NNSY Photographer
A new water jet cutting machine has been installed at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) thanks to a partnership between the Mechanical Department (Code 930) and the Production, Facility, and Equipment Management Division (Code 980). A water jet cutting machine is an industrial tool capable of cutting a wide variety of materials using a high pressure jet of water mixed with an abrasive substance. The machine is used to cut hard materials such as metal or granite and it is used during fabrication. “This new machine has increased our capabilities at the shipyard,” said Code 983’s Mon Kwong. “All the cuts are done underwater. The pipe on the bottom sucks up the slurry from the cuts and separates the abrasive grit from the waste matter in a recycling tank so the grit and the water can be reused.” “The machine also makes more accurate cuts and is operated with a computer control system,” said Janice Swanson, an inside machinist apprentice. “We can cut into thick metals with precision and the machine even has the ability to etch. It’s still a new system so we’re learning as we go but it’s been a good experience so far.” The new device was purchased and installed in an effort to refit the Inside Machine Shop (Shop 31) with modernized technology. There was a quick turnaround from purchase to install and the mechanics have begun training to utilize the machine to its fullest potential. “We’re taking strides to either refurbish or install new equipment throughout the shipyard to better fit the needs of the workforce and the Navy,” said Kwong. “Precision and safety are key factors in what equipment we purchase and install. These folks are the ones using the equipment every day and it’s important to ensure they have the best tools to use at their disposal.”
WATER JET FYI 1. An important benefit of the water jet is the ability to cut material without interfering with its inherent structure, as there is no heat-affected zones (HAZ). Minimizing the effects of heat allows metals to be cut without harming or changing intrinsic properties. 2. Water jet cutters can cut a wider range of material, such as non-metallics, "hard to melt" metals and non-conductive metals. 3. Water jet cutters provide a cleaner, smoother finish, or higher cut quality. This results in less time and effort to finish the end-product after the cutting operations are finished. 4. While water jet cutters have a slower cutting speed and higher operating cost than laser and plasma-based cutting machines, speed is helped by the new cutter operating at a higher pressure (compared to the old unit) which allows for a slightly faster cutting speed. The recycling tank helps the operating costs by substantially reducing the amount of abrasive grit and water required to operate the water jet cutter. JUNE 2017 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 11
MEET THE TEAM: JOHN TATE: TOOLMAKER
PHOTO BY TONY ANDERSON • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER
EYE ON INNOVATION: INNOVATING THE PRACTICES AND TOOLS OF TOMORROW: THE RPL CONTINUES TO GROW STORY BY KRISTI BRITT • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST
John Tate, a toolmaker with the RPL, has been part of the team since its earliest stages and has seen the team grow with each trial and success. “The lab was created with a goal to help the shipyard in make sure workers are all taken care of so they can perform their jobs efficiently and safely in the best possible manner,” said Tate. Tate notes that the growth of the program stems from all the individuals who put the time and effort into making the RPL a reality for the shipyard. “It all started with Code 100PI. They owned the process and got us on the right track to becoming a successful team. Bill Harrell, Troy Pond, Doug Irwin, Dave Wall, and Bobby Truitt were some of the key folks who helped get us to where we are today. Even after the transition, Code 100PI has been there to assist and we’re always grateful for everything they’ve done for us. And now we’re working with Code 900P and Rob Bogle’s group and together we’re taking that next step in the process.” For Tate, the lab has been as much a learning experience as an opportunity to provide his skillset to create for the shipyard. “I’ve learned management skills as they relate to the mechanic side of the job. I’m able to see the big picture with every job that comes in, helping us take steps in the right direction.”
KENNETH KINSTLER: SHEET METAL MECHANIC Editor’s Note: At Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY), innovation and teamwork are key characteristics of the Rapid Prototype Lab (RPL). The RPL opens its doors to anyone who has an idea to make a process more efficient and is willing to aid anyone who seeks assistance. However, sometimes someone comes to the team seeking something they do not have the tools to provide. Rather than turn away these creative thinkers, the RPL reaches out to other shops within the shipyard to collaborate and get the job done. A simple idea is all it takes to create something new and efficient. That’s a phrase the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Rapid Prototype Lab (RPL) lives by as the team welcomes each day turning the ideas of shipyard workers into reality. The RPL opened its doors in early 2010
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and has since been a staple in the drive for innovation and teamwork at America’s Shipyard. Its efforts extend to anyone who has an idea to make a process more efficient and is seeking assistance. The Performance Improvement Division (Code 100PI) led the charge in the early stages and provided the facilities and equipment necessary to complete the workload to support the shipyard. In 2016, the RPL transitioned under the Process Improvement Division (Code 900P), continuing the mission to create an innovative shipyard and Navy. During the years, the team has continued to innovate itself alongside the practices and procedures of the shipyard, finding the best fit in aiding those in need. The members are all shipyard workers who stood out as subject matter experts in their fields and continue to learn and improve their skills with each job they tackle.
Kenneth Kinstler, a sheet metal mechanic for the lab, joined the team two years ago. At first, he was unsure what to expect as he joined, but with Tate’s guidance he learned the processes and how the group is able to come together as a team. “We’re all experienced workers in our trades that are able to add another piece of the puzzle with each job that comes in,” said Kinstler. “I’ve come to appreciate our shipyard more with this position because I’ve gotten to work with and see firsthand the different workers in their different trades and how they benefit the mission of the Navy.” Kinstler shared his favorite thing about the lab is being able to serve the customers. “Creating those solutions and seeing the customer’s face as they see and use the finished product is rewarding for me,” he said. “When you see how satisfied they are and hear how much savings these tools we create bring them in safety and efficiency, it makes it all worth it.”
PHOTO BY KRISTI BRITT
MARTRAIL PARKER: PROCESS IMPROVEMENT Martrail Parker came into the lab in December 2016 as the process improvement manager, a position dedicated full-time to the lab and its business functionality. Since his arrival, the team has begun a dedicated process of consultation with the customers to ensure their ideas are captured to their fullest potential. In addition, the lab is also calculating a full turn on investment, allowing the team to share with leadership how the program works to increase support on future projects. “We communicate with the leaders of the projects and ensure they understand that we are there to support them and their mechanics,” said Parker. “At the RPL, we want to turn their ideas into solutions. We have a dedicated team that does great work every day. Our goal is to have at least ten projects completed for each project to ensure a safe and efficient workplace for everyone who comes through that gate every day.”
ALIM JORDAN, WOODCRAFTER Alim Jordan first joined the team in 2016 when his zone manager at the time heard of the need for a woodcrafter and felt with the creative dynamic of the lab and Jordan’s abilities in design that he would be the perfect fit for the job. In addition to providing woodcrafting for jobs, Jordan also aids in the design drawing and 3-D printing efforts of the lab. “With the amount of jobs that come through the lab, as a unit we come up with the best plan of attack for each job and determine the next step we take in making those jobs a reality,” said Jordan. “Whether it be a pencil drawing of a design or creating a 3-D drawing for print, we utilize our skills and tools we have available to get the best job done.”
PHOTO BY TONY ANDERSON • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER
TOP LEFT: Martrail Parker joined the Rapid Prototype Lab in 2016. ABOVE: Alim Jordan, Kenny Kinstler, and John Tate are three of the four members of NNSY's Rapid Prototype Lab.
THE RPL CONTINUES TO BRING INNOVATION TO THE SHIPYARD The RPL is dedicated to finding new ways to help the shipyard employees do their jobs safely and more efficient than ever before. The team is ready to support any future endeavors, no matter how simple or complex the idea may seem. If you have an idea that might improve your job, contact the RPL at 396-4950/4956/4758 or 450-1863. PHOTO BY KRISTI BRITT
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PHOTOS COURTESY GENE BRICKER • NAVFAC
NNSY SEWAGE REPAIR GOES OFF WITHOUT A HITCH By April Brown • Public Affairs Specialist
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It wasn’t an ordinary morning for Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s (NNSY) emergency management services. The cold temperatures and snow didn’t delay the emergency responders, contractors, production department, equipment management division, and various Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic teams’ ability to quickly respond to a possible sewage leak near Gate 15. NAVFAC received a call from the NNSY Regional Operations Center (ROC) and immediately mobilized various teams to evaluate the scene the morning of Jan. 10. “We were pretty sure we had a leak, we just didn’t know exactly where it was,” said Utilities and Energy Management Civil Engineer Gene Bricker, NNSY NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic. “Once the leak was excavated and located, we confirmed it was caused by a deteriorating cast iron pipe that had been installed during the 1950s.” Pump Station 508 near Gate 15 is the main hub of where 99 percent of all
Responders complete a bag stop insertion.
Responders repair the pipe at Race Street.
sewage flow leaves the base to Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) system. “Since NNSY sewage system is connected into HRSD, flow continues to come into the shipyard after the base’s system has been shut down, which causes a spill,” said Bricker. “The initial spillage was about 300 gallons. About 100 gallons of it ran into the street and into the storm drain,” said Mechanical Engineer Cathy Weeks, NNSY NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic Public Works Department Portsmouth. “We cleaned up the street and sidewalk with lime, and gathered sandbags from all over the shipyard to build a wall around the site.” “From an environmental perspective, it could have been a lot worse,” explained Weeks. “Many people within the shipyard and NAVFAC cared in so many ways by sacrificing time, resources, and energy to keep the shipyard safe.” “It’s important to have a plan for these types of situations. By having a plan, knowing the problem, and knowing the path to take allowed us to start moving forward to get the job done in a timely and efficient manner. It also gave us time to pre-assemble essential parts that would be installed later at the site,” said Bricker. “Once all sections were isolated, it took 12 hours to complete the repair on Jan. 24,” explained Bricker. “The process started at 9 a.m. At 9 p.m., we started the pumps back up and returned all of the lines to service. Two new valves were installed at the Race Street connection to isolate our system and stop incoming flow from HRSD in the future.” “The repair was complicated due to where the problem was at the joint in the pipe. When a situation like this happens,
our goal is to keep service going. We can’t say, ‘you can’t use your facilities, wash your hands, or prepare food.’ We had up to 22 pumper trucks collecting sewage around the clock.” said Bricker. “With up to 20,000 people coming through the gate every day, we do whatever we can to keep things going. That is our number one priority.” There were a lot of on-scene and behind-the-scene team efforts to the twoweek, 2.8-million-dollar repair. “I know two weeks sounds like a lot of time, but there was a whole lot accomplished in two weeks to return that line to service,” explained Bricker. “It went well; it really went well considering the timeframe and no real disruption of service anywhere in
the shipyard, except the pedestrian path at Gate 15 was temporarily rerouted.” “The true heroes of this story are the contractors. They arrived within four hours with trucks ready to begin hauling sewage off-site,” said Weeks. “They worked with a passion to support our needs through the snow and rain, and stood outside watching the pumping operations day and night for two weeks.” Due to its age, the line is being restored in phases to prevent future failures. The first phase was completed at station 508 this year. The second phase will replace the lines out to Bldg. 491 near Gate 15 during Fiscal Year 17/18. In 2020, the third phase will continue rehabilitation of the force main toward Race Street. JUNE 2017 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 15
Shipyard Spotlight: J.C. Arline Whether serving ships or showing off his shops, Code 920 Production Manager demands excellence By Michael Brayshaw • Lead Public Affairs Specialist | Photos by Tony Anderson • NNSY Photographer All my life. That’s the common refrain you’ll hear from Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Structural Department (Code 920) Production Manager J.C. Arline if you ask him about his career or interests. Fiercely loyal to the people and things that matter to him, Arline has spent 45 years not just at the shipyard, but in the same department. A lifelong resident of Suffolk, and a bleed-burgundy Washington Redskins fan through “the thick and thin,” he’s even devoted to his wife . . . even though she’s a Dallas Cowboys fan. Arline describes his job managing the Shipfitter, Sheetmetal and Welding Shops as “making sure we’ve got the right supervisors in the right place, the right mechanics on the right job, ensuring material is here to expedite the job, and it’s all executed down on the deckplates. We send quality products out the door, first-time quality and on schedule.” One might think an Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War, and a 45-year shop veteran, has a shell that’s hardened through five decades of experience, but ask Arline about his career highlights and anecdotes spill out of him with childlike enthusiasm. “We did the bow for the Coral Sea when it was wrecked [in 1985]. We built that bow right here in the shop, and floated it on a barge around to Dry Dock 8. They took it off and set it onboard.” Code 920’s efforts contributed to the Coral Sea repair finishing early and six million dollars under cost. 16 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • JUNE 2017
He added, “We built deck houses, sponsons, elevators for carriers—we don’t do that kind of work anymore. We did the Capstone, the brand new mast on the [USS Harry S] Truman three or four years ago. We built 50 percent of it in here, took it to the waterfront, and finished prefabbing it outside on the waterfront before it was installed.” Beyond his vital efforts in ship repair and modernization, Arline has another highly visible responsibility—ensuring the Bldg. 163 high bay area is shipshape for major shipyard events and visits such as the Big Rocks ceremonies and the Chief of Naval Operations AllHands gathering earlier this year. “That last one is the quickest I’ve had to turn the shop around; I think it was three days,” said Arline. “When I first started out, it could take anywhere from a week to two weeks to get everything in place. I can now have everything set up— the dressing, the flag, the big stage, everything else in place—in three days. We’ve done it so much.” In addition to hosting Big Rocks ceremonies since 2004, he has participated in Family Days since the mid-1970s, and supports events throughout the shipyard, including those held on the lawn of Bldg. 1500. As he usually does, Arline is quick to commend his employees and supporting shops for their assistance. “Shop 64 comes and dresses the trailer, 64 woodcrafters come and put up the staging. I could call Johnny-on-the-spot and say I need you at 8 o’clock, they’d be here at 8 o’clock,” he said.
SUPERINTENDENTS ANNOUNCE WINNERS OF ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION The Norfolk Naval Shipyard Superintendents Association recently held its annual scholarship competition. The Association Scholarship Program is funded solely from personal contributions from its members. This year, there were twenty-two applications submitted for the eight available $500.00 scholarships. SCHOLARS OF MEMBERS: • • •
• Summing up why he continues to come to NNSY every day, long after he needs to from a financial standpoint, Arline said, “I just love helping people. That’s my major joy. A lot of recognition doesn’t really matter to me, as long as I know I helped somebody. I’ve helped shape many an apprentice helper who’s come my way.” Shipfitter Foreman James “Bo” Jamison first started working for Arline in 2005. “He’s got an abundance of information,” said Jamison. “From the ceremonies and everything else, the knowledge he has is irreplaceable. He’ll do anything for his people. He’s always looking out for his people and checking after them. Like family.” Donte Barnes, who handles prefabrication work as part of the Shipfitter Mold Loft, called Arline “a very determined and straightforward leader, a go-getter who gets the job done.” Shipfitter Mechanic Richard Porter has known Arline for three decades, since Porter was an apprentice. “J.C. has been doing these [shipyard] ceremonies for years. His military background helps with presenting it all the right way—whether it’s the flag or the shop, he wants it right. And he really looks out for his people. He wants the job going out to the ship as the best product.” Arline said the working relationships he’s cultivated with his employees over his 39 years as a supervisor “mean a whole hell of a lot. Because without them, they don’t need me. I’ve seen a lot come through. I’ve seen those who came in here as apprentices, and now they’re superintendents, like my boss [Structural Department Group Superintendent] Barry McKenzie.” Whether it’s sooner or later, Arline knows his retirement is coming. “I can start to taste it now,” he said. Turning reflective, he added, “I’ve been blessed tenfold. The shipyard has got its good and bad, but you take the good with the bad, you make a positive effort and you move forward. And I’ll miss the people. I’ve encountered some of the best and some of the greatest people that you could ever imagine at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, from the shipyard commanders all the way on down.”
Hailey Alspaugh, daughter of Jesse Alspaugh of Code 106. Ms. Alspaugh currently attends Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Joshua Everett, son of Mark Everett of Code 240. Mr. Everett currently attends Old Dominion University. Graham Fitzgerald, son of George Fitzgerald of Code 130. Mr. Fitzgerald is a 2017 graduate of Princess Anne High School and plans to attend the University of Virginia in the fall. Brooklyn McKenzie, daughter of Barry and Lisa McKenzie of Code 920 and C900R respectively. Ms. McKenzie currently attends James Madison University. SCHOLARS OF NON-MEMBERS:
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Gracie Benton, daughter of Charles Benton of Code 2370. Ms. Benton is a 2017 graduate of Grassfield High School and plans to attend Virginia Commonwealth University in the fall. Graham Poynter, son of Douglas Poynter of Code 300. Mr. Poynter is a 2017 graduate of Hickory High School and plans to attend Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the fall. Heidi Roberts, daughter of Wilson Roberts of Code 970. Ms. Roberts is a 2017 graduate of Currituck County High School and plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the fall. Alora Tejada, daughter of Melissa Tejada of Code 227. Ms. Tejada is currently attending Regent University.
Congratulations to the eight recipients, and also to all the students who applied for scholarships. The grades and accomplishments listed in the applications were truly impressive!
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NAVSEA AND SHIPYARDS COME TOGETHER FOR ANNUAL M-COP COLLABORATION By Kristi Britt • NNSY Public Affairs Specialist| Photo by Luke Beasley • NNSY Photographer Every year Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and the four public shipyards come together in an effort to share processes and practices with a Corporate Community of Practice (CoP) face-to-face. Fifty employees enterprise-wide met April 24-27 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) with the hope of reviewing the past year’s initiatives and brainstorming new innovative practices for the future of the Mechanical Group (Code 930). The CoP brings together all potential entities enterprise-wide to support the discussion and implementation of necessary activities for a successful launch, cultivation, and sustainability of the group and the shipyards. “Our mission across all shipyards is the on-time delivery of ships,” said Eric Chops Clarke, the NNSY Mechanical Community of Practice Director. “We hold the same mission and we aim for the same direction. We come together to support the United States Navy and our country.” A CoP is defined as a group of professionals, informally bound to one another through having a common class of problems and a desired pursuit of solutions. They nurture knowledge, stimulate innovation, and share knowledge in an effort to knit people together with peers. Their outputs can include leading practices, guidelines, knowledge repositories, technical problem and solution discussions, working papers, and strategies. The participants came together to share lessons from past problems and to share and adopt the best practices enterprise-wide. In addition, they also broke into smaller groups to tackle big topics for the upcoming year, including standardizing SUBSAFE corporate qualifications, reducing redundancy by identifying the organizations that lead the corporation in training of specific production processes, new innovations in inside shop 18 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • JUNE 2017
fastener manufacturing, cold spray technology implementation and the development of first line supervisors. The participants also received a tour of NNSY, seeing firsthand the processes and practices being implemented on the job daily. The four-day collaboration ended April 27 with the 50 employees as well as leadership from NNSY discussing the plans moving forward. “The amount of teamwork we shared during the collaboration as well as throughout the year has been incredible. We have a dedicated team that wants to make the shipyards a better unit and throughout the year we’re going to continue investigating and initiating different processes and more to ensure we are serving our enterprise, our Navy, and our country,” said Clarke. “We have great focus and we want to continue this same drive moving forward into the next year and beyond. At the conclusion of the collaboration, Clarke passed the torch on to Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard to lead the charge towards the 2018 collaboration in Hawaii. William Burrell, the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) 04x3 representative in the CoP, shared, “it was a great turnout this year with a lot of new faces joining the team. We’ve gotten a lot of feedback from everyone and with this success comes the time to drive the hammer in our action items. I’m looking forward to working with each and every one of you to ensure our success in the coming future.” “The mechanical groups are the heart and souls of our shipyards,” said Cmdr. Ryan McCrillis, the Code 900 Production Resource Officer. “What you guys are doing here is extremely valuable and I thank every single one of you for putting your brains together to tackle the issues we face daily. I look forward to see what happens next.”
Once a shipyarder, always a shipyarder: NNSY retiree group meets monthly throughout Hampton Roads Story and photos by Michael Brayshaw Lead Public Affairs Specialist
Making time between golfing and grandkids, upwards of 30 Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) retirees come together for a monthly lunch at a local restaurant. NNSY’s former senior civilian leaders, military officers, and even shipyard commanders have joined the group, which had its latest gathering May 17 to enjoy seafood and swap sea stories. This retiree ritual was the idea of Keith Abernathy, former Business and Strategic Planning Operations Officer for Off-Yard Surface Ships, and shipyard veteran of 37 years, who retired in 2012. “We really have a special group, bound together by the common thread of having worked at NNSY,” said Abernathy. “We are all very proud of our service, enjoy sharing old sea stories, and are becoming really good friends in this special time of our lives.” Like the way so many ideas germinate and blossom, it started with one person sharing it with another, then another person became involved, and in this instance suddenly reservations grew from a party of ten, to twenty, to thirty. “You have childhood friends and high school buddies you’ve grown up with, you make college friends, but I think later in life, the people you work with become some of the most important friends of your life, and it’s important to stay friends with them,” said Abernathy. The bonds were in evidence May 17 with several attendees rushing to help a convalescing attendee get a seat and welcome him.
True to the communal spirit of the group, Abernathy opens up each lunch by welcoming new attendees and providing updates on regulars who were unable to attend. He most enjoys being able to link up people who once worked closely together but hadn’t seen or spoken to each other in years. “My real enthusiasm is when somebody walks in, looks around, and has that instant recognition of ‘I know him!’ Somebody saw a desk mate he worked with for 30 years, they were great friends. There’s a lot of stories like that this group shares.” Abernathy said the group regularly rotates through different cities and restaurants and meets the third Wednesday of every month. The group has traveled as far as Camden, North Carolina to gather at a retiree’s home for a catered meal. The retirees have tried different activities such as meeting for a baseball game (less popular), but now primarily do lunches (very popular). Mark Peters, who retired from NNSY in 2014 as Chief Design Engineer in the Engineering and Planning Department, has attended two lunches so far. “Great crowd!” he said. “I spent 10 to 15 years working carriers with some of these guys,” he added, gesturing to three former yardbirds right across the table from him. The group has even appealed to someone early in her career like NAVFAC MIDLANT Planner Alexandra Westfall, who attended her first retiree lunch in March at the urging of her father, retired Lieutenant Commander Tim Westfall. “I have always appreciated learning from those senior to me and this lunch group is very special for that reason,” she said. “With this group, there are a variety of backgrounds and they are so welcoming! They kindly entertain my novice questions and share their stories about their time at the shipyard. It definitely adds more personal history to an already historic landscape. The sense of community that doesn't stray after retirement is the bigger picture of what I enjoy about the group...and that Keith volunteers his time to make this happen!” The shipyard’s former Public Affairs Officer Steve Milner, who retired in 2011, noted the diversity of experience amongst the retirees, either serving on the waterfront, working in support functions, or having done both. “The one thing I've felt during the past couple of years I've been attending is the common bond and friendship from their shared experiences--both in their earlier crafts jobs to their later office positions. You can really feel the camaraderie.” JUNE 2017 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 19
Roberson stored many of her souvenirs from NNSY in this photo album.
Reflections of WW2 tack welder Marie Roberson Story by April Brown Photos by Greg Boyd
Her journey started 74 years ago, although she remembers it like it was yesterday... Marie Roberson, World War II Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) shipfitter helper and tack welder, left her hometown of Washington, North Carolina when she was little more than 17-years-old. She and her sister Dot journeyed to Hampton Roads to take jobs once filled by men who were sent to fight in World War II. Dot got a job as a pipefitter onboard the pre-commissioning unit (PCU) Shangri-La, one of three carriers NNSY built during the war. Part of the hiring process was to take a written knowledge test. Roberson was nervous since she didn’t have any shipyard experience and pretended to be 18. “I wanted to do my part to help out,” said Roberson. “I lied about my age so I could work in the shipyard, but that was just a little lie.” 20 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • JUNE 2017
Vacant jobs needed to be filled quickly. Most of them were filled by homemakers, single women, and teenagers. With their help, NNSY was able to stay on track to finish the ships and get them commissioned and into the fleet as soon as possible to support war efforts. She sighed with relief when offered a job. “We didn’t have a choice about where we went or what we did. They wanted me to be a shipfitter helper and tack welder,” said Roberson. She didn’t know the first thing about welding and was thankful her new boss put her with someone who was skilled and patient enough to teach her. “It was hard work with long hours, but it was all worth it,” she explained. After welding a few pieces of metal, it was off to Dry Dock 8 where she would test her skills for the first time onboard the PCU Lake Champlain. Upon arriving, she suddenly became nervous when realizing there were 18inch wide beams she had to stand on to weld, as well as go across to get to the flight deck.
“I was scared to death,” she said. “If you fell from there you would fall down onto the hanger deck. I was frightened I might fall.” After taking some deep breaths, she slowly stepped out onto the beam, pacing her steps and not looking down, and eventually made it halfway across the beam. “I thought, I can do this. By the time I got to the place on the beam where I was supposed to stop and do welding beads, I was like a cat walking around on that beam. Most of the women workers were either welders or tack welders. My last pay check was $44.72 and that was with overtime,” said Roberson. “It’s just as hard to pay for some of the things back then as it is with today’s wages and prices.” In stretching money and resources to make ends meet, an aspect of the war that
affected millions of people was rations. Gasoline, hygiene items, medications, meats, sugar, eggs, coffee, oils and butter, processed and canned foods, and clothing and shoes were all rationed. Rations began to support and maintain supplies going to the troops overseas. "There were many things we had to go without. But it was okay, because we knew those guys over there were risking their lives for us,” said Roberson. Working in the shipyard exposed her to many new things. She learned how the best peach pie was made from dried peaches; how to use a telephone; and why the shipyard would use a smoke screen across the shipyard to protect the ships and submarines due to the fear of enemy submarines in the water nearby. Some of her unforgettable memories from the shipyard were when a welding arc sparked and caught her hair on fire; a guy’s false teeth fell into a bucket of ship grease; Shipyard Commander, Adm. C. H. Jones coming onboard the ship every day; when a guy’s bicycle with a lawn mower motor blew up next to the dry dock; and donating money toward the ship’s bell. She started working onboard the PCU
Lake Champlain shortly after the keel was laid, and watched as the ship was formed by many different people. “It was really interesting to see it all come together. We worked, we really worked hard, and all of the time because the ship had to be built piece by piece,” said Roberson. As the war wound down, men started returning home and back to their jobs in the shipyard. “Women were supposed to let them have their jobs back because they were the head supporter of the family,” she said. “Some women really hated to give up their job because having it helped them provide for their family and they got benefits.” When her job ended, she watched as the timbers supporting the ship came down, the waterways opened and the ship left the dry dock. She recalled, “I felt like, 'Ahh,' and thought…I helped do that. I felt so proud; just so proud.” When asked if she had the opportunity, would she do it all again? She said, “Of course! I enjoyed working there. It was a great opportunity and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
ABOVE: Roberson discusses her shipyard career with Public Affairs Specialist April Brown. BELOW: One of Roberson's pay stubs, officially known as a Leave and Earnings Statement, from 1944.
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PART ONE: BACKGROUND Historic building renovation invites the next generation of shipyard employees
By Jennifer Zingalie • Public Affairs Specialist Photo courtesy NAVFAC Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) began construction on the $21.6 million Bldg. 30 renovation project in January 2017 reaching the 20 percent mark in May. Since 1767, the shipyard, which was founded as the Gosport Shipyard by English merchant Andrew Sprowle, has conducted continuous shipyard operations. Although some of the land was sold to the public in 1785 it was later purchased in 1801 by the federal government and has been in use by the U.S. Navy ever since. Anyone familiar with early American history who has visited Portsmouth, Virginia may see it in landmark areas, street names and historic structures preserved there. Although not open to the public, this too is true of the shipyard. In the beginning, ships were built at the shipyard and structures, such as Bldg. 30, a two-story timber shed, facilitated that mission. During that time, the 36th Congress claimed the shipyard was “the largest and most important yard in the United States." 22 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • JUNE 2017
If walls could talk, the solid brick walls of Bldg. 30 would have a lot to say. The structure was constructed in the late 1830s but was damaged by self-inflicted Union fires three days after Virginia voted for succession from the Union in 1861. It was set ablaze a second time in 1862 when the Confederates surrendered to Federal forces approximately three weeks after the first duel between ironclad warships, known as the Battle of Hampton Roads. The shipyard's strategic location, skilled workers and facilities made the shipyard a desirable commodity during both the Revolutionary and Civil War. During the years, Bldg. 30 underwent modifications to doors and windows, as well as the addition of a first floor restroom and an enclosed bridge that connects it to a neighboring building. It has also seen a change in its occupants and their respective occupations from sawmill workers in 1896 to the 1920s, to supply and administrative
personnel during World War II. Now it is home to the Engineering and Planning Department with the primary role of supporting work on the waterfront through ship repair and design. Throughout time the building's core has remained but after 180 years it began to show signs of needed repair and renovation. According to Facility Engineering Support Branch Manager Derek Deerfield, the decision to repair or renovate is not one the Navy takes lightly. Because the shipyard has more than 100 buildings, many of which are protected under The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, any work done must be prioritized and renovations must be approved locally and federally. Priorities are based on the purpose of the building, its occupants and the renovation's impact to the command's mission overall. “First we look to see what is sound and if safety requirements are met, such as fire and life safety,” said the Bldg. 30 Project Manager Nick McGinness.
“If there are cosmetic issues we use local sustainment funding to repair or do things like repaint, refloor, and add new furniture, whatever is needed. When there are structural issues and we can’t reconfigure and cosmetic fixes won’t solve the problems, then a renovation process would be initiated.” According to Allen Pace, the process and facilities manager for the Engineering and Planning Department (Code 200), prioritizing projects such as Bldg. 30 is more than simply preserving history. He believes renovations like this have a great impact on the 21st century mission of the shipyard. “The design of this renovation has opened up 130 additional seats and provides space to facilitate high-powered computers and modern equipment and technology for the work we do,” he said. “At the same time, it greatly enhances quality of life, providing facilities that allow us to attract and retain the best and the brightest.” Across the nation, attracting skilled workers is more important than ever. Within the next five years, mechanics and engineers of the baby-boom generation will be retiring. Those hired by the Navy also receive specialized training for the complex work conducted at the shipyard. Ensuring this information is passed down and retaining these employees is vital to supporting the overall Navy mission, said Pace. “Having an under-skilled workforce can mean a lot of things for us, it can affect a ship’s availability, quality of work, mentoring and oversight and so much more,” said Deerfield. Understanding this, the design team on the Bldg. 30 project worked hard to marry the past with the future. Some character-defining interior features will include exposed masonry and steel columns, and retention of the original high ceilings. The external design, based off of historic photographs and documents, will bring the building back to its circa 1900 design. Some modern day, ADA compliant additions will include a vestibule, mother's nursing rooms, conference rooms, kitchenettes, stairs and an elevator. Although the interior will have a more modern appeal, including new fixtures, it will preserve an open floor plan which may provide a glimpse into another time when the building was used to facilitate large wooden ship parts. The renovation will meet Anti-Terrorism/ Force Protection standards and will also include showers, new furniture and finishes, LED lighting, and a new mechanical system. Overall the building will be more energy efficient and is meant to sustain another 50 years, an important component to the ongoing readiness of what is today known as America’s Shipyard.
#SPIRITDAY May 26 was Aloha Friday at NNSY!
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LEFT: Dan Christian, a technician for CH2M, a company that assists in remedial actions for infrastructure and environment, conducts a Vapor intrusion Investigation at St. Juliens Creek, May 24. The goal is to trap air in a special container which must be certified before each event, test the air on an ongoing basis and compare samples. The air is monitored and tested to ensure building occupants are not unknowingly breathing potentially harmful levels of impacted air due to nearby environmental releases.
St. Julien’s Creek Annex Environmental Restoration Program Annual Site Visit By Jennifer Zingalie • Public Affairs Specialist | Photo by Luke Beasley • NNSY Photographer Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s Environmental Restoration Program Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) held its annual site visit at St. Julien’s Creek Annex in Chesapeake May 24. A RAB was established in 1999 to educate the community about environmental restoration activities at St. Juliens and encourage community involvement in the decision-making process. The RAB consists of members from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, NNSY Public Works Department, Navy Facilities Engineering Command, Chesapeake Environmental Restoration Program, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, CH2M, a company that assists in remedial actions for infrastructure and environment, and members of the community. During the visit, RAB Co-Chair Walter Bell thanked the group for its part in helping St. Juliens achieve the 2016 Chief of Naval Operations Environmental Award in the
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Environmental Restoration, Installation category. “This award shows good stewardship,” said Bell. “Through combined efforts we have been able to protect the environment and promote quality of life without impacting our mission.” NNSY went on to receive the 2016 Secretary of Defense Environmental Award in the same category. In July 2000, St. Juliens was added to the National Priorities List (NPL) as a result of former operations which impacted the environment. Of the 59 identified sites, 56 were determined to require no further action under the ER Program following desktop audits, site inspections, and/or removal actions. Last August, St. Juliens celebrated a significant construction complete milestone which encompassed some 36 years of dedicated work in investigating environmental contamination and
ultimately restoring seven sites marked for clean‐up. A facility typically achieves the construction completion milestone when physical construction of removal action or remedial action is complete at the entire facility, immediate threats are addressed, and long-term threats are under control. Currently three installation restoration sites remain actively monitored under the ER Program for things such as land use controls, contaminant investigations and groundwater remediation. “We (the U.S. Navy) do not take care of the environment in a vacuum,” said Cmdr. Roland DeGuzman, assistant operations officer for NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic and a Chesapeake native. “I am proud to have been a part of this group for the last five years and what it has accomplished.” “I am thankful for the RAB’s continued involvement, because it really can’t work without their participation.”
NNSY AND ST. JULIENS CREEK SELECTED FOR CNO ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS By Mary Stuck • Installation Environmental Program Director Earlier this spring, the 2016 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Environmental awards winners were announced. Annually the CNO Environmental Awards program recognizes Navy ships, installations, individuals, and teams for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to improving the environmental performance of our Navy. Norfolk Naval Shipyard was one of three installations to be selected in the Cultural Resources Management (small installation) category. The award covered FY2015 and FY2016. Achievements included: conducting cultural resource training sessions to promote awareness and stewardship of cultural resources and familiarization with the history of Norfolk Naval Shipyard; capturing geographic information system (GIS) data to identify archaeological sites, cemeteries, historic buildings and areas that require further investigations; development of a one-hour driving tour highlighting sixteen significant resources with documentation of the historical importance, key features, preservation challenges, and preservation successes; and completion of a comprehensive photographic archival study at the National Archives and Records Administration. St. Juliens Creek Annex was selected as one of two installations in the Environmental Restoration, installation category. Achievements included: becoming only the third Navy facility in the Mid-Atlantic region to achieve the Construction Complete milestone upon signature of the Preliminary Closeout Report for the facility; the final No Further Action for Site 5 and Blows Creek returned 23 acres of land to the facility with unrestricted use; reduced concentrations of contaminants at Installation Restoration Site 2 as a result of implementation of the remedy; and optimizing remedial strategies to reduce costs. In March, St. Juliens Creek Annex was announced as the recipient of the Secretary of Navy Award for Environmental Restoration. The Chief of Naval Operations and the Secretary of the Navy awards awards will be presented in late June. RIGHT: A technician reads the output from the Hydraulic Profiling Tool/ Electrical Conductivity logging being conducted during an investigation at Installation Restoration Site 2 at St. Juliens Creek Annex. The combined Hydraulic Profiling Tool/Electrical Conductivity logging is a real-time technology characterization tool used to evaluate changes in subsurface hydraulics/conductivity with depth. The tool was used to log the complex lithology at the site and make realtime decisions on depths to target for discrete groundwater sample collection. Photos by Kathryn Smith, CH2M HILL, Inc.
ABOVE: Respond A chemist analyzes groundwater samples in the field using a FROG-4000 portable gas chromatograph during an investigation at Installation Restoration Site 2 at St. Juliens Creek Annex. The field instrument was used to help make realtime decisions on secondary groundwater sample locations and target depths to refine the target treatment area for additional Radium injections.
Celebrating Pride at NNSY: Cassie Bower introduces the LGBT&A ERG By Kristi Britt • Public Affairs Specialist June is dedicated as Pride Month, a celebration of our rich diversity and commitment to equality. The Pride movement stands for equality within the United States, and the Diversity and Inclusion Office at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) celebrates the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community and its supporters for all they do for the country, the Navy, and our shipyard. Cassie Bower, an electronics production planner for the Electrical Group (Code 950) Electronics Shop (Shop 67), was born with an appreciation for the Navy. Her father was stationed at the United States Navy's Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Refit Site One in Holy Loch, Scotland when he met Cassie’s 26 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • JUNE 2017
mother and after several years of marriage, Cassie was born. The family returned to the states shortly thereafter, but was posted back to Scotland a couple of years later where she remained until joining the U.S. Navy at age 20. “I started out as a data systems technician until the rating was merged into electronics technician,” said Bower. “I spent most of my naval career overseas traveling the world as part of our Navy and it was truly a wonderful experience. I loved serving my country and seeing places I never thought I’d experience.” She retired from the Navy in April 2011, knowing she wished to find a way to continue to serve her country and put the skills gained during her time in the Navy to good use.
“The shipyard was a perfect fit for me,” said Bower, who joined the shipyard family in April 2012. “I came in as an electronics mechanic, further honed and grew my electronic skills, and eventually converted into a planner. It’s been an amazing experience.” Since her arrival at the shipyard, Bower has been heavily involved with the Employee Readiness Groups (ERGs), beginning with the development and establishment of the Veteran Employee Readiness Group. “These groups are a great way to bring together the diverse shipyard community to meet a common goal,” said Bower. “All the ERGs are open to everyone to participate and bring them together for support and
PHOTOS BY LUKE BEASLEY • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER
resources. After being involved with the Veteran Employee Readiness Group and the Federal Women’s Program, myself and my friend Katlyn O’Connor (a physical science technician for Code 105.3) came together with an idea for a new ERG not yet established in the shipyard.” Both Bower and O’Connor identify with the LGBT community and wished to establish an ERG to celebrate their community and its allies, as well as provide support and resources to the LGBT employees of the shipyard, active duty Navy Sailors, and their allies. “We all work in a diverse shipyard and for me personally it’s been a very positive experience working here,” said Bower. “I’ve
met a lot of supportive people and we’ve all come together to get the job done in supporting our Navy’s mission.” Bower and O’Connor met with the Diversity and Inclusion Office in November 2016 and began establishing a charter for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies Employee Resource Group (LGBT&A ERG). Today, the charter is completed and the team is preparing to launch the group. “We hope to get started here shortly and bring in new members for the group,” said Bower. “Once we are fully established, we’ll hold elections and begin holding monthly meetings and participating in events throughout the year. We are open to all NNSY employees and active duty Sailors who wish to participate. Whether you are within the LGBT community or simply an ally, you are welcome here.” Bower hopes to share a greater understanding of diversity to those within America’s Shipyard. “Being LGBT, we’re just like everyone else,” she said. “We are human beings with our own unique dreams and aspirations. We all just want to respect one another and live together in an understanding world. At America’s Shipyard, I feel we are already well aware of our diverse workforce and look out for one another. We’re all here to get a job done and serve our Navy mission. I take PRIDE in being part of America’s Shipyard.” Pride Month commemorates the events during June 1969: the Stonewall Riots. The event lasted for three days and patrons of supporters of the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York, resisted police harassment of the LGBT community. These events are recognized today as a catalyst for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States.
Celebration Please join Norfolk Naval Shipyard and the Department of Defense as we recognize lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members and civilians for their dedicated service to both the DoD mission and to our nation. The DoD has chosen “Celebration” as the theme for this year’s observance. Diversity is one of our nation’s greatest strengths. During LGBT Pride Month, we celebrate our rich diversity and renew our enduring commitment to equity.
JUNE 2017 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 27
Safety Check:
Stand Up to Falls Home is the place where we feel most safe, so it may come as a surprise to hear that falls in the home are one of the leading causes of injury-related death in the U.S., second only to poisoning. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries, including concussions.
Eliminating tripping hazards Prevent falls at home—and at work—by removing the sources of tripping: • Secure electrical and phone cords away from walking areas, such as hallways or in front of your desk • Use non-skid rugs and be sure to tape them down to prevent rolling • Keep drawers and cabinets closed when you’re not using them • Wear proper footwear, paying special attention to outdoor conditions • Clean up any spills immediately and include warning signage if necessary • Refrain from walking while distracted - stay focused on your surroundings
GREEN CROSS TIP Reduce your chances of falling by getting your vision checked regularly. If you take any medication, discuss common side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness with your doctor.
• Ensure there is adequate lighting in your workspace • Don’t carry more than you can handle—large loads can obstruct your vision and affect your balance
FAST STAT Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries, including concussions. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention )