SS News Daily for 13JAN06
Since 01-14-06
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U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class LaQuisha S. Davis.
Adjustments and maintenance ‘to make a great ship even better' to take about a year
By Anthony Cronin, New London Day, 13 Jan 06
By Ray Hackett, Norwich Bulletin, 13 Jan 06
From Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs
By JO1 Christina M. Shaw, COMNAVSUBFOR Public Affairs
By JOCS(SW/AW) Steve Strickland, The Dolphin, 13 Jan 05
By Kellen Correia, Naval Historical Center Public Affairs
U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class LaQuisha S. Davis.
San Diego (Jan 12, 2006) - Vice Adm. Chuck Munns, Commander, Naval Submarine Forces (COMNAVSUBFOR), along with Type Commanders Vice Adm. James M. Zortman and Vice Adm. James D. McArthur Jr., address military, government, and industry leaders at “West 2006”. Co-hosted by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) and the United States Naval Institute (USNI), “West 2006” is a conference is held annually at the San Diego Convention Center to discuss issues facing defense experts and to experience the technologies of the future. This year’s theme is “Service Roles & Structures: What’s Right for the Way Ahead?”
Adjustments and maintenance ‘to make a great ship even better' to take about a year
By Anthony Cronin, New London Day, 13 Jan 06
Groton -- The USS Virginia, the first in a class of next-generation submarines, was gently eased into a large graving dock at the Electric Boat shipyard Thursday for nearly a year's worth of adjustments and maintenance after a short initial deployment.
The Virginia (SSN 774), the lead ship of the Virginia class nuclear-attack submarines, will undergo a “post shakedown availability” at the shipyard that will require between 300 and 350 shipyard workers to perform a host of maintenance, repair, alteration, testing and other activities.
This past month, the Navy announced a $15.5 million contract for the Groton shipyard to perform the work on the Virginia following its deployment. Navy officials have said the work is expected to be completed by November, with nearly all the work done at the sprawling Groton shipyard, with a small amount of work performed at EB's Quonset Point, R.I., shipyard.
“The purpose of the maintenance work is what the Navy wants us to do to make a great ship even better,” said Thomas Berl, the ship's manager helping to oversee the boat's post-shakedown work.
Peter Dixon, a superintendent who has worked on the Virginia since its conception 12 years ago, said he's looking forward to the work, adding that “this is one of the best crews I've ever worked with.”
He said the work over the next several months on the Virginia will “spruce it up a little bit” in anticipation of the boat's long service with the Navy.
As the Virginia made its short journey down the Thames River from the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, it was escorted by Coast Guard patrol boats as well as the three tug boats that deftly placed the 377-foot-long submarine into the graving dock on the southern end of the shipyard.
A host of shipyard workers stood eagerly on the surrounding docks, throwing lines to the submarine as it entered the dock.
The work went smoothly for the new submarine, which has a 34-foot beam and a displacement of 7,835 tons.
The Virginia was officially certified as a warship just after 8:46 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, four years to the minute after terrorists sent the first of two hijacked jets into the World Trade Center.
The day after, the first of the Virginia-class submarines was on its way from the Groton sub base to its first classified mission.
Navy officials said the Virginia's September deployment to the U.S. Southern Command less than a year after it was commissioned was the result of a pressing need for submarine surveillance and reconnaissance.
The Virginia was commissioned in 2004 and was deployed 18 months ahead of schedule.
The boat returned to Groton Nov. 23 from its successful deployment with a number of “firsts” for the boat: the first crew, led by Cmdr. Todd W. Cramer, to serve on the Virginia and the first boat in a new class of fast-attack submarines.
The Virginia-class subs are being jointly constructed by EB and the Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard in Virginia. They carry a price tag of about $2.4 billion and can perform a broad range of post-Cold War tasks, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and special warfare operations.
The Virginia class boats have a nine-man lockout chamber and can accommodate a Navy SEAL mini-submarine or a dry-deck shelter for special forces' vehicles and equipment.
In addition, the Virginia-class torpedo room can be reconfigured to accommodate a larger number of special operations troops. The submarine also has four 21-inch torpedo tubes and a dozen vertical-launch systems tubes.
Berl, the manager of the Virginia's post-shakedown work, said that EB workers are eager to get to work on the Virginia, adding it is “one of the most significant jobs we've got in the Groton yard this year.”
By Ray Hackett, Norwich Bulletin, 13 Jan 06
NEW LONDON -- Increasing submarine production from one to two a year was cited Thursday as a top priority in enhancing the military value of the Groton submarine base, stabilizing the region's defense-related industry and ensuring the base is never targeted for closure again.
"If we don't go to two subs a year, Electric Boat is going to have a problem and the base is going to have a problem," said Gary Bennett, retired chief executive officer of Analysis & Technology and co-chairman of the defense/homeland subcommittee of the governor's commission on diversifying the southeastern Connecticut economy.
A draft report on the U.S. Navy's shipbuilding projections released this week shows the Navy intends to maintain its one-sub-per-year rate through 2012, a program that will reduce the Navy's submarine fleet even more.
"As long as we continue to build one sub a year, we're going to be a target," said co-chairman Tony Sheridan, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut.
Congress decides how many ships will be built and congressional representatives at Thursday's meeting said the delegation is already lobbying for an increase.
"It is a top priority," said Jane Dauphinais, district director for U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, R-2nd District.
Awareness campaign
Bennett suggested the subcommittee might consider recommending a national public awareness campaign about the role submarines play in the war on terror.
"It really is up to Congress, and a congressman from Indian or Iowa may not care because his constituents may not understand the important role submarines are playing," he said.
The panel discussed half a dozen ideas it could explore as it develops proposals to enhance the military value of the sub base and stabilize the region's defense manufacturing sector.
Other issues
Three additional subcommittees are exploring other issues for diversifying the region's economy by looking at the workforce, infrastructure and marketing approach.
"This group has an easier task," said Groton Town Manager Mark Oefinger, co-chairman of the infrastructure subcommittee that will meet for the first time today. "To some degree, the issues we're going to be talking about are much broader."
The commission has no specific timetable to complete its work, but Chairman Douglas Fisher has suggested finishing within six months.
The subcommittees will present initial proposals to the executive committee next week. The full commission will get its first briefing later this month.
Gov. M. Jodi Rell formed the commission in October after the state reversed the Pentagon recommendation to close the Groton sub base.
"Southeastern Connecticut is too heavily reliant on the submarine base for its economic viability, and Connecticut came too close to losing the submarine base. And there were lessons to be learned from this near loss," Rell said.
John Markowicz, executive director of the Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region, renewed his call for a day-long "lessons learned" summit to discuss what they learned from the base closing process.
The subcommittee meets again next month.
From Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Next to the close relationship the Navy shares with the Marine Corps, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. Mike Mullen said he considers the Navy's continuing partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard as the "single most critical relationship we can possibly have when it comes to securing the maritime domain," during his speech at the 18th Annual Suface Navy Association National Syposium Jan. 10.
"We talk a lot about the Navy-Marine Corps Team, and we should," Mullen told the audience. "But we are also going to start talking about the Navy-Coast Guard Team."
He said that the two services have worked well together recently, particularly on intercept and drug smuggling operations, and have improved maritime domain awareness with the establishment of the Maritime Intelligence Fusion Center in Norfolk, Va., and Alameda, Calif.
"But we must do more, the stakes are very, very high," CNO stressed. "We must bring together our multimission assets, personnel resources and shore command and control nodes to enhance security of our ports, coastal approaches, rivers and waterways - the entire maritime domain."
Mullen acknowledged that neither service desires to take over the other's missions. "Clearly there must be a line between us," he said. "But it better be a line we can look over, a soft line."
Referring to the new National Strategy for Maritime Security, CNO stressed that teamwork and cooperation are critical.
"As far as I'm concerned, that cooperation has to start with the Navy-Marine Corps Team and," he emphasized, "the Navy-Coast Guard team."
"Teamwork is a requirement."
By JO1 Christina M. Shaw, COMNAVSUBFOR Public Affairs
The winners of the 2005 Battle “E” Efficiency Awards for the Submarine Force were announced on January 1, 2006. Submarine Squadron SIX’s USS Scranton (SSN 756) and Submarine Squadron EIGHT’s USS Newport News (SSN 750) were awarded top honors for Norfolk-based submarines.
The Battle “E” award recognizes sustained superior performance in all areas of combat readiness. As part of the competition, ships compete for command excellence in four combat areas: maritime warfare, engineering/survivability, command and control, and logistics management. To receive the nod for battle efficiency, a ship must excel in all four areas.
“The competition for these honors was, as always, extremely keen,” said VADM Chuck Munns, Commander, Naval Submarine Forces.
“These awards should be a source of great pride to each and every crewmember.”
Master Chief Machinist’s Mate (Submarines) Kevin Bond, Chief of the Boat for USS Newport News from 2002-2005, attributes the submarine’s success to the crew’s high standards.
“The biggest contributing factor to the USS Newport News winning the Battle ‘E’ is the character of the Sailors on board to adopt a consistent, correct way of getting the basics right and high standards in day to day operations,” he said.
“First, it's important to understand that when I say ‘basics,’ that word has a lot of different interpretations,” Bond continued, “but when you say ‘basics’ on board USS Newport News, a Sailor will tell you that it's about communications, procedural compliance, cleanliness, stowage, execution of orders, follow up, watch standing, having a questioning attitude, providing backup and ownership.”
“When the crew gets the basics right it makes it easier to focus the appropriate amount of time looking at the difficult missions and when taking on the difficult missions getting the basics right contributes to success, “ he concluded.
USS Newport News was also awarded the Communications Green “C” and the Damage Control Red “DC” for 2005.
In addition to the winning the Battle “E” for Submarine Squadron EIGHT, USS Scranton earned the Tactical Operations White “T”, Supply Blue “E” and the Navigation Red and Green “N”.
"Scranton's superior performance throughout 2005 was driven by the crew's focus on continuous improvement and day-to-day operational excellence,” said LCDR John Newton, Scranton’s Executive Officer. “The entire team demonstrated characteristic Submarine Force dedication as we worked through numerous material and operational challenges while executing two demanding missions vital to national security during our recent deployment to Central Command (CENTCOM) in direct support of the Global War on Terror.”
“Each crewmember provided critical contributions to the overall effort and I'm very proud of each of them,” he concluded.
Other boats to be recognized for their outstanding performances include: USS Albany (SSN 753) earned the Communications Green “C”, Medical Yellow “M” and the Engineering Red “E”; USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) earned the Engineering Red “E”, Navigation Red and Green “N” and the Medical Yellow “M”; USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709) earned the Tactical Operations White “T”; USS Montpelier (SSN 765) earned the Damage Control Red “DC”; and USS Norfolk (SSN 714) and USS Boise (SSN 764) both earned the Deck Seaman White “D”.
In addition to the Battle “E” competition, personnel from Submarine Squadron SIX were recognized for consistent superior performance across the Submarine Force for Engineering Readiness. They include: Former Commodore CAPT Bruce Grooms; Commodore Jamie Foggo; former Deputy for Readiness, CDR John Kropcho; and Squadron Materiel/Engineering Officer, LCDR Shawn Huey.
By JOCS(SW/AW) Steve Strickland, The Dolphin, 13 Jan 05
The lower base of Naval Submarine Base New London will soon see some improvements with the award of a $30.6 million project to replace pier 6.
American Bridge Company of Richmond, Va., was awarded the contract for the work that will include the complete demolition and disposal of three piers, construction of a new submarine pier with associated utilities and amenities, dredging, and incidental related work at SUBASE.
The work is expected to be completed in December 2007.
Piers 6 and 4 will be demolished to make room for the new pier, which is considerably larger than existing piers. Pier 6 was originally designed in 1968 and built in 1972 for the Sturgeon (SSN-637) class submarines. Pier 4 is a wooden pier only used by small craft and is considered excess. The new pier 6 is designed to handle today's SSN-688 and SSN-21 class, and the new Virginia (SSN-774) class submarines. Pier 13 will be demolished as part of this project to open up berthing at Pier 12 North. Pier 13 was constructed in 1960, also for the 637-class submarines.
The new pier 6 will be 65 feet wide, which will enable cranes and trucks access without blocking the entire pier, according to Lt. Eric Walker, project manager at Resident Officer in Charge of Construction (ROICC) office on SUBASE. "In addition, the new pier will be able to comfortably berth Seawolf and Virginia-class submarines with its 500 foot length and proved better accommodations for all submarines with its crane-less brows and improved utility connections."
The project also includes dredging to allow for the deep drafts of the Los Angeles and Virginia-class submarines. Pier 6 will get a new rubber-faced steel fendering system designed to accommodate any submarine without damage to its side scan sonar array, robust utilities to accommodate the requirements all subs, pure water pipes in lieu of trucks on the pier, crane-less brows, and IT connectivity.
"This is part of a long-term plan to modernize our piers and be ready for the submarine force of the 21st century," Walker said.
By Kellen Correia, Naval Historical Center Public Affairs
CHARLESTON, S.C (NNS) -- Scientists working with the Naval Historical Center (NHC) to try to solve the mystery of the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley's disappearance in 1864, stumbled onto yet another mystery in December.
A view port on the left front side of the submarine is completely missing, possibly a catastrophic result of the Hunley’s historic battle with the Housatonic.
Some have speculated Sailors aboard Housatonic may have shot out the view port, causing the submarine to fill with water. That theory fails to explain why scientists have not found any of the view port’s glass inside the submarine. Mysteriously, they have also found no traces of the port itself. There is just a hole where it once was.
"This view port has always held the promise of being the smoking gun, but it appears the gun is missing," Hunley Commission Chairman Sen. Glenn McConnell said. "Whether this is just damage the Hunley suffered from being lost at sea for more than a century, or it's something else, is a question we hope to answer in the coming months. One clue may come when we take off the concretion on the conning tower. We'll be looking closely for the indention of gunshots in that metal."
Scientists recently made an important discovery that may support this theory. While working to remove glass from the Hunley’s view ports, they found not all the windows of the Hunley are alike.
The deadlights running along the top of the submarine had covers that could be closed to block the glow of candle light from emitting through the glass. The conservation team said it appears the forward conning tower’s view ports did not have that capability.
The light shining from the forward conning tower’s view ports may have helped Sailors aboard the Housatonic detect Hunley’s presence. Historical records reveal Hunley was spotted and fired upon moments before she deployed the explosive torpedo that sent Housatonic to the bottom of the sea. Since the forward conning tower’s view ports could not be covered, those shooting at Hunley may have used the illuminated view ports as their bull’s eye target.
The missing view port could have been a result of this gunfire. If the view port were successfully shot at, portions of the glass would have shattered, falling into Hunley. At this time, no glass associated with this port has been found, but Hunley archaeologist James Hunter said it’s possible some glass could still be buried in the thick concretion covering the bottom of the submarine.
The lack of covers for the forward conning tower’s view port was not a design oversight, but rather a necessity. On the night of Hunley’s historic mission, crew commander George Dixon placed his head in the forward conning tower and used the view ports to navigate toward his target. The ability to close the view ports simply was not needed because it would have been impossible to steer the submarine blind to the outside world.
Also, the conning tower is only about 15 inches wide, leaving little room for Dixon to quickly close and open the view ports while the submarine approached the enemy. “The Hunley was built to maximize her ability to travel smoothly and quickly beneath the water’s surface. The small conning towers contribute to the Hunley’s overall design as a hydrodynamic underwater weapon,” Hunter said.
Ultimately, scientists will use the clue of the missing view port, along with hundreds of others, to piece together the complex mystery of Hunley’s disappearance.
For related news, visit the Naval Historical Center Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/navhist/.