Yardlines

A Publication of Newport News Shipbuilding March 2012

In ThIs Issue

Rear Adm. Johnson Talks to VCs shipbuilders

shipbuilders Inspire Local students

2011 Apprentice school Class Graduates

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In a classroom at Denbigh High School, students puzzle over an unusual task: keep an egg from cracking when dropped from about 15 feet high. The energy in the room is fired up as the students design their protective capsules. Guiding their engineering efforts are volunteers from the Career Pathways Program at Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS). The volunteers help the students apply basic math and physics to make sure the eggs do not end up as a mess on the sidewalk.

“The egg drop is just one activity we do,” says shipbuilder Shauntel Foster, a lead volunteer coordinator for the NNS Career Pathways Program. “We use fun, hands-on activities to show students how math and science relate to the activity, and then we relate it to

building ships. It is such a meaningful experience to see kids’ faces light up when they make the connection.”

Career Pathways is a nation wide initiative that encourages the formation of partnerships between parents, educators and businesses to help students become aware of different career paths, explore the skills involved, and even get connected with job-shadowing opportunities during high school. Newport News Shipbuilding partners with Newport News Public Schools (NNPS), organizing after-school clubs and special events that focus on math and science from the elementary grades through high school. The NNS program has seen significant growth this past year, with the amount of volunteers tripling, and the program expanding to partner

Egging Students n

with school districts in Hampton and Virginia Beach.

“We need at least twice as many volunteers this year to continue building on last year’s success,” says Jennifer McClain, manager of the Career Pathways Program at NNS. “A large part of our workforce is very knowledgeable in these critical areas of math and science. Our expansion to other school districts highlights the value of the program. It is important that we connect the children in our schools to opportunities at NNS and the maritime industry within Hampton Roads. It is a huge win for everyone.”

In 2011, the NNPS district was awarded the Magna Award by the National School Board Association, in

large part because of the partnership with Newport News Shipbuilding. “It is the main reason for us getting that award,” says Ann Ifekwunigwe, Career Pathways supervisor at NNPS. “Shipbuilders bring a hands-on element that makes it a meaningful experience for the students, who often retain a real interest in engineering and math long after the activities. Many have actually chosen that career path as a result.”

For more information or to find out about volunteer opportunities contact: Career_Pathways@hii-nns.com

During a Career Pathways event at Denbigh High School, NNS volunteer Shauntel Foster (left) examines an egg for cracks during the egg drop contest with students (L-R) Precious Knight, Tysean Melton, and Joshua Porter. Photo by John Whalen

The Apprentice SchoolGraduates New Generation

of Shipbuilders

Family, friends and faculty packed Liberty Baptist Church in Hampton on Feb. 4 to celebrate the achievements of The Apprentice School’s graduating class of 2011. Among the 161 graduates representing 26 trades; 70 graduated with academic honors, 13 were recipients of athletic awards, 12 had perfect 4.0 grade point averages, and three were members of the same family.

In opening remarks, Everett Jordan, director of education for The Apprentice School, encouraged the crowd to cherish the special moment and celebrate. The crowd did just that; claps, whistles, and loud cheers could be heard echoing throughout the auditorium during the ceremony.

At least 20 family members cheered for apprentices Justin DeBusk, Christopher McCormick and Erica McCormick as they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas and ring the bell, symbolizing their journey to graduation. Justin is first cousin to brother and sister apprentices Christopher and Erica McCormick. The family’s ties to The Apprentice School run deep. Including the recent graduates, five of the family’s eight shipbuilders currently working in the yard are former apprentices and another member, Ashley Krivosky, is currently enrolled at the school.

“It’s exciting to be graduating alongside my younger brother and cousin,” Erica McCormick said. “We all grew up together with our families sharing birthday parties and holidays together, which makes it all the more special for us to be able to celebrate this accomplishment together.”

For more than 90 years, The Apprentice School has provided a unique opportunity for students to learn craft specialization, academics and leadership while working hand-in-hand with Newport News shipbuilders as they design and build the world’s most complex ships.

“I look back at all the studying, hard work, determination and dedication that I have put in over the years and it’s finally paying off,” said Christopher McCormick. “I am proud to say that I am a shipbuilder and proud to have been part of this great school.”

Erica McCormic summed up what many of her classmates felt about their educational journey. “I have made many close friendships while at this school and I will have plenty of fond memories to carry with me. It wasn’t always easy, but in the end, the journey was absolutely worthwhile.”

Her cousin Justin added, “It feels great to finally be graduating from The Apprentice School. I am very proud to carry on my family legacy with this company. I am extremely excited for what the future holds.”

For Erica McCormick, who gave birth to a baby girl two days following graduation, the future could possibly mean another shipbuilder down the road.

Members of the same family, (L-R) Justin DeBusk, Erica McCormick and Christopher McCormick, celebrate after the Feb. 4 Apprentice School graduation exercises. Photo by John Whalen

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Hear from the TopVCS Shipbuilders

During a series of meetings on Jan. 24, Vice President of Submarines and Fleet Support Jim Hughes and the Navy’s Program Executive Officer for Submarines, Rear Adm. Dave Johnson, jointly spoke to more than 2,500 shipbuilders building Virginia-class submarines (VCS). The two leaders thanked shipbuilders for the good work they are doing on the program.

“Right now, the Virginia-class program is recognized as a model of acquisition in the Department of Defense,” Hughes said. “That’s a big deal to have a program in today’s environment that is recognized as being a model for how you want to manage and run a program. Clearly that doesn’t just happen. There has been a lot of energy and a lot of time that went into making that a reality.”

Preston Gibson, who works second shift in the Sheet Metal Dept., said, “Sometimes we lose sight of just how important what we do is. It’s really good to reiterate it through events like this. Having the admiral here shows that all the way up to the top of the Navy, they appreciate what we do.”

Johnson spoke about the current fiscal environment and the challenges of having costs and schedules continuously ratcheted down to increase affordability and timeliness of submarine deliveries to the Navy. He said “cost, quality and schedule have never been more important.”

He added that the outstanding performance of delivering USS California (SSN 781) more than eight months early to

Rear Adm. Dave Johnson speaks with members of the Pipe Dept. during a series of meetings on Jan. 24 with shipbuilders who are building Virginia-class submarines. Photo by John Whalen

contract has raised the bar and it has become the Navy’s and the public’s expectation and new normal.

“It was good information and it was good to hear it from the customer’s perspective,” said Tim Sexton, who works in the Machine Shop. “Admiral Johnson did a great job of explaining the issues and where we need to improve to keep building awesome ships.”

Johnson’s closing message about driving for better performance and being accountable for that improved performance, especially in an extremely competitive

environment, resonated with shipbuilders.

“The big take-away for me was the sense of urgency,” said Sharon Callahan, who works in Component Fabrication and Assembly. “We need to think of ways to do things differently. We have to make sure we do things according to policy and the right way, but we also want to be efficient.”

Left to Right: Jamal Short, George Easley, Alicia Uzzle, Ph.D., Joe Allen, Shawn Manning, Terri Mills, Donna Graves, Jay Holloway, Joshua Mason, Diane Pigott and Remona Britton Photo by Ricky Thompson

Eleven Newport News Shipbuilding engineers were honored on Feb. 17 for their achievements in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) during the 26th Annual Black Engineer of the Year Award STEM Global Competiveness Conference. The engineers, who were nominated by their supervisors for their role in shaping the future of engineering, science and technology, each received the Modern-Day Technology award.

“The role of an engineer is quite demanding and extremely vital to Newport News Shipbuilding,” said Bill Bell, NNS vice president Human Resources and Administration. “We congratulate our award winners for being recognized as among the best and brightest technology minds in the country, and we thank each of them for their valuable contributions to the shipyard and the important impact they are making to the engineering profession.”

The conference, which was held Feb. 16 – 18 at the Philadelphia Downtown Marriott, attracted more than 8,000 participants. Seven Ingalls Shipbuilding engineers also received awards.

Modern-Day TechnologyLeadersModern-Day TechnologyLeaders

AFFORDABILITYDESIGN

for

About four years ago, Construction Superintendent Scott Whitmore and the Virginia Class Joint Newport News Shipbuilding/Electric Boat Design for Affordability (DFA) team were handed a challenge: Find ways to improve the bow section of the Virginia-class submarine (VCS) to cut costs. And while you’re at it, try your hand at decreasing the build time, too.

The challenge was met head-on. Whitmore and the DFA team discovered about 80 construction efficiencies during a four-year redesign effort. The result: approximately $30 million in savings and a 45-month build span, shaving off approximately seven months of the bow section’s overall construction time.

Top on the list of construction efficiencies is the VCS’ redesigned vertical payload tubes, which bring approximately $10 million in savings per submarine. The new design, which is being incorporated for the first time into North Dakota (SSN 784), includes two payload tubes that each hold six tomahawk cruise missiles. The tubes are installed in the Ring Module Shop (RMS) before they are final outfitted in the Module Outfitting Facility (MOF). On previous VCS boats, the 12 vertical launch tubes would have been installed in the MOF.

The newly engineered payload tubes can also be modified to support special operating forces in the future, further increasing the submarine’s capabilities. The holes for the hatches and actuators are pre-drilled allowing installation in

AFFORDABILITY the MOF as soon as the module is received from the RMS. This eliminates machining and drilling that would have been done on previous VCS boats. In addition to the efficiencies of the tube being pre-drilled, the new design resulted in the elimination of more than 70 pipe runs through the main ballast tanks.

 “I’ve always looked forward to a new challenge,” said machinist Dave Blevins. “Now having worked the outfitting of the North Dakota payload tubes, one thing that is very evident is I go home each night without aching knees and back. The new design is much more ergonomically friendly as it eliminates the repetitive crawling around on your knees while working in a cramped environment. The reduction in drilling of close tolerance holes and installation of multiple components has also allowed us to focus on just the few parts it takes to outfit these tubes.”

Welder Leon Dawson welcomes the simpler installation that the new payload tube design requires.

“This new payload tube design has eliminated all of the overhead welding that was required in the past to install the VLS Fairing structure,” Dawson said. “It also has eliminated the repetitive welding of hydraulic actuator foundation that required me to crawl around on my knees and weld in very tight spaces. So far we have much less welding to do on this boat, which will result in us building the bow section more cost effectively, quicker and provides a much safer work environment.”

Next door to North Dakota (SSN 784), Minnesota (SSN 783) is being built with the standard 12 individual tubes, which requires welding of each vertical launch tube.

Minnesota’s bow construction began in November 2007 and North Dakota’s construction began in August 2008. Thanks to the vertical payload tube redesign, other improvements, and the hard work of the Section 1 Outfitting Team, the two submarines are neck and neck in their construction progress relative to external outfitting of the bow—despite a nine-month difference in construction start dates.

“That alone begins to tell the tale of how the new design is improving things,” Whitmore said. “The proof is in the pudding. The cost performance already has been fantastic for the payload tubes and the changes are allowing us to pull other work in much earlier.”

Construction efficiencies for the newly redesigned Virginia-class submarine vertical payload tubes being installed in the Ring Module Shop save approximately $10 million per submarine. Photo by Chris Oxley

In honor of Women’s History Month, Newport News Shipbuilding reflects on the contributions and achievements of women shipbuilders.

It took a war and a desperate need for workers before the world of shipbuilding began bringing women into the fold. It was July 1918, during World War I, to be exact. That’s when 50 women walked through the gates and forever changed history at Newport News Shipbuilding. They filled one floor of a building where they filed the

rough edges off of steam turbine blades.

During World War II, women gained an even broader foothold in shipbuilding with their work in the joiner shop, as crane operators, and in steel and electrical shops. They were reading blueprints, running drill presses, cutting steel and learning to weld.     

In her day, Rosie the Riveter was the iconic image of a woman’s role in the wartime workplace, but when the

Women Blazing New Paths

First class of women welders trained at the shipyard in 1945. Photo from Newport News Shipbuilding Archives

wars ended, there were many women left to fill her shoes and carry her role well into the future. Now women can be found working in all capacities at the shipyard. In fact, 36 women hold the distinction of being Master Shipbuilders.

They not only attend The Apprentice School, they earn the school’s highest awards, like Homer L. Ferguson award winner Donna Blankenship; they teach, like first female academic instructor Marilyn Jones; and they are basketball stars like Rickie Spruill, first Lady Builder for the women’s Apprentice School team.

Women go out on sea trials, like JoAnn Panuska, one of the first women to do so onboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. They are presidents of clubs, like A. Faye Barnes Falconer, first woman president of the

Progressive Club and the first assigned to work in the Module Outfitting Facility.

They work in fueling, like Darlene Chisholm, first female Radcon Monitor. They hold positions on the deckplates and as supervisors, like first female Radcon Supervisor Sharon Toomer. They are executives, like Thomasina Wright, first African-American female director; and they are vice presidents, like Becky Stewart, first female vice president to lead a major ship program.

Today, gender takes a back seat to skill and ability and both men and women can stand together as proud shipbuilders at Newport News Shipbuilding.

construction site located at 1045 29th St. in Newport News include Beth Scicchitano, her husband Jeremy Scicchitano and his mother Margo Scicchitano. They are building their sixth home as NNS volunteers. “I think everyone should try to help others in some way, and I’m just doing my small part,” said Beth Scicchitano. The home is scheduled to be completed in spring 2012.

Whether it’s giving an aging home a facelift or constructing a new home, Newport News shipbuilders enjoy getting involved.

Last November, Shipbuilders Kraig Cole, Chris Owenby and Skip Brown helped renovate a Hampton family’s 1,050-square-foot home.

The shipbuilding trio joined local contractors and other volunteers for Hampton Roads’ first-ever Remodel Mania, a local version of Extreme Home Makeover.

“From helping with the planning to cleaning up on the last day, this project was special for me since the father, who had passed away when the children were very young, was a shipbuilder, too. As members of the community, we all have a responsibility to help make it better where and when we can,” Cole said.

November also marked the beginning of construction on the 10th Habitat for Humanity home, sponsored by Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS). Shipbuilders working at the

Giving the Comfort of HomeMaking a Difference:

Shipbuilder Kimberly Jordan measures vinyl siding for NNS’ 10th Habitat for Humanity home. Photo by John Whalen

Yardlines is published 10 times a year for the employees of Newport News Shipbuilding.

This issue of Yardlines was produced by: Gina Chew-Holman, Mike Dillard, Christie Miller, Eugene Phillips, LaMar Smith, Peter Stern and Lauren Ward. Additional writing services by Barlow Communications. Photographs by: Chris Oxley, Ricky Thompson and John Whalen

Send comments, questions and story ideas to Yardlines editor: gina.chewholman@hii-nns.com or call 757·380·2627.

Look for more news at www.huntingtoningalls.com/nns.

huntington Ingalls huntington Ingalls Industries hIIndustries

Long ServiceMASTER SHIPBUILDERS fEBRUARy

Larry “Cadillac” Fleetwood40 years

Jim Callis40 years

Gene Brothers40 years

Bill Cochran Jr.40 years

Stepney Brown40 years

Robert “Big D” Dillard 40 years

Karen Primm40 years

Judy Weatherly45 years

Tommy West40 years

Bill Waples III40 years

Rowland “Tally” Taliaferro 40 years

Arnold Vass40 years

Mike Munn40 years

Mike Oney50 years

Arnold Outlaw40 years

Daniel Keefer40 years

Thyrane George40 years

John Pellum45 years

50YEARS Hearld M. Oney X89

45 YEARS John A. Pellum X32Judith F. Weatherly X36Richard E. Shreiner M53Ellis L. Wasserman X36Elbert Outerbridge X36

40 YEARS Eugene Brothers X36Stepney L. Brown X36James E. Callis O39William P. Cochran Jr. X73Robert W. Dillard Jr. X70Larry D. Fleetwood X42Thyrane R. George O38Michael G. Munn X58Karen Primm O26Bobby R. Smith X72Rowland W. Taliaferro O39Arnold C. Vass X54

William E. Waples III X89Thomas E. West Jr. O19

35 YEARS John D. Armstrong X11Viola G. Barnes X42David B. Barnes Jr. O45Thomas E. Bellamy X36Jesse L. Bennett X11Weldon F. Bolden X31Verlie W. Botts O14Cleveland D. Bowens O43Jarvis J. Bowser X42Carl E. Bunch T54Chester W. Bundick O48Bruce L. Byrdsong X32Stephen A. Carroll O67Reginald A. Charity O53John B. Clark X36Carol C. Clark O28Dana M. Cowell X88Stewart N. Crocker E27

Willie C. Daughtrey Jr. X18Alfred W. Dunston X32James L. Elliott Jr. X54Brenda T. Evans E18Ronnie N. Faltz X36Jeffrey D. Fisher O67Hurlie L. Flythe X36Steven M. Freeman X36Robert J. Froemel X11Phillip E. Gayles X11Demarius O. Goble banks X71Glenn H. Goodhart X42Bobbie L. Gwaltney X15Robert S. Hite X36Graham C. Hobbs III X58Michael K. Hobson X54John M. Hopkins Jr. X43George L. Howard X11Rudolph Johnson O43Joe L. Justice X11Samuel Justice Jr. X43James A. Lassley O39

Clifton A. Lathan Jr. X36Cynthia M. Linhart O16Harry A. Lynn X36Deborah O. McDonald N310Curtis C. Murray X18Reginald F. Neale E84Steven A. Pangle X54Eugene J. Parker X42Lionel C. Patterson X11Tommy A. Pelfrey X36Marshall E. Ray III X89Barbara A. Richardson X33Rodney L. Richardson X33Reginald L. Riden X36Larry L. Ridley X15Jessie H. Robinson O46Forest M. Sanders X18Leslie Scoggins Jr. X36Ronald E. Sharp O54Cottes Smallwood X36William D. Smith X18Anna M. Smith O43

Robert L. Stephens X36Larry D. Taylor O39John R. Taylor Jr. X36Anthony W. Tisdale X33Nelson H. Turner X36James S. Vaughan X32Charles E. Walters X18Michael L. Warren X18Dwayne L. White O26Joey Wiggins X18Edward J. Wightman III X11Jordan J. Williams A572Clifton Wright X36

30 YEARS Eugene S. Alston Jr. O53Thomas B. Bennett X73Francis S. Blake III O63Walter A. Boatwright E13Steven L. Bryant T52Ronald E. Crawford E82Leroy A. Hansen X82

Sally W. Jones X73Sarah C. Lewis T52Millard B. Lewis O39Robert E. Minetree M53John W. Shifflett O12Kay P. Smith X84Rebecca A. Stewart O11Melvin B. Taylor O04Bryan P. Vick X15Todd E. Woldmoe E86Jeffrey S. Zeigler E15

25 YEARS Bryan S. Freed E22Dwayne E. Harris X43Darrell W. Smith X10

20 YEARS Jesse H. Burgess E27William G. Gledhill O41Kwang H. Lee E83Steven T. McDade E17Damon R. Saetre X89

RetirementsjAnUARy

Ernest L. Anderson X43Bobby R. Autry E83Paul O. Black X11Stephen M. Bone X42Mary N. Carr O53William W. Carter M53

Davis W. Cartwright IV X76Ben T. Chapman T55Levi Clemons Jr. X31Betty L. Collins O53Sandra L. Costello O55Johnny R. Dailey X31

Claire D. Davidson O27William R. Eason Jr. X88James M. Evans X10William L. Evans Jr. O38Herbert Guidry E03Charlie E. Hall X33

George W. Hicks O43Dennis B. Honeycutt X88Otis L. Jarrett X11Steven C. Jensen X83Glenn C. Mitchell X89Harry Newton M53

Tyrone Parker O43John W. Robinson X43Thurl O. Tynes X43Joseph K. Wilburn Jr. X58Rudolph V. Wilson Jr. O51Anthony L. Woods Sr. E85

Robert L. Wooten O46

March 2012

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The Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) team working at Newport News Shipbuilding’s Pier 3 recently completed several propulsion plant milestones required to safely begin steam testing on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). The nuclear aircraft carrier arrived at the shipyard in August 2009 and it spent more than 20 months in dry dock undergoing the first phases of the RCOH project. The ship was launched and moved to Pier 3 in May 2011. In January, shipyard leaders recognized RCOH shipbuilders for the hard work, dedication and many accomplishments it took to prepare for the steam testing. CVN 71 is expected to be redelivered to the Navy in 2013. Photo by Chris Oxley

full steam ahead