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COMNAVSEA Lauds NNSY Excellence as Part of One Shipyard for the Nation
By Dave Desilets, Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va (NNS) -- In presenting the 2003 Commander-in-Chief's Installation of Excellence Award to Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) June 15, Vice Adm. Phillip M. Balisle lauded "the yard of the future" efforts as the very things necessary to build 21st century naval readiness.

Speaking to all hands at NNSY during the award presentation, the commander of Naval Sea Systems Command also noted that their achievements are much in line with the concept of where the country's yards need to be as "One Shipyard for the Nation." He summarized how the shipyard construct harnesses that very excellence. "Our job is to instill the successes in the mindset of our people, so we can go anywhere with the best talent."

In detailing some of what earned NNSY's installation excellence, Balisle credited streamlining efforts to become the "shipyard of the future." Among the award-winning attributes, NNSY has reduced its footprint, modernized its equipment and integrated its facilities through Lean Assessment principles. These initiatives and others led to NNSY reducing operating costs to the tune of $22.5 million in savings over two fiscal years.

During his remarks, the admiral commented on NNSY's creation of 14 Regional Repair Centers (RRCs), through teaming with Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity (SIMA) Norfolk, providing approximate annual savings of more than $21 million. The RRCs have improved fleet maintenance while reducing overhead, and integrating highly skilled military and civilian workforce.

Balisle also spoke of another teaming by NNSY, when the yard joined Northrop Grumman Newport News in readying the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) for sea and acceptance trials. "The contractor said it needed additional electricians during construction, so we sent over about 20 people from Norfolk Naval Shipyard. The nation needed that carrier at sea, and you did it...your people were there."

Discussing the concept of One Shipyard for the Nation, Balisle noted that NNSY and the other public and private yards have already been doing many of the things that the national yard construct is about. He highlighted the example of USS John F. Kennedy's (CV 67) extended selected restricted availability in Mayport, Fla., employing more than 130 NNSY personnel per day and others from yards across four states. He remarked that it was this kind of flexible and mobile workforce response from the nation's shipyards that is needed to maintain and build the Navy's culture of readiness.

In readying the fleet, he emphasized the importance of "doing that critical, fundamental maintenance" so ships will be ready 10 and 20 years from now. "I think the role of this shipyard in this national, industrial base, is going to be even more vital in that kind of operating world than it is today. We cannot let the maintenance of these ships create a hollow force. Never let us build that hollow force for the future!"

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Photo: Kevin Elliott