Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Danian Douglas | Electrician's Mate Fireman Errol McGuire, assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft...... read more read more
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By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Danian Douglas
USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The efforts of the PM13 deck removal team aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) have shaved nearly $6 million off the cost of the ship’s refueling complex overhaul (RCOH).
At a cake cutting ceremony Aug. 6 to celebrate 100 percent completion of tile removal, Lincoln’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Karl O. Thomas, showered praise upon the men and women who make up the team.
“Thank you very much for your hard work on reaching this milestone,” Thomas said. “It is because of your efforts that we are able to stay ahead of schedule and get the ship back to the fight.”
The PM13 team consists of Sailors reassigned from departments throughout the ship who prepare the steel subfloors on the ship for re-tiling. Many of them had never used tools such as sledge hammers, pneumatic and electrical demolition hammers and deck crawlers needed to complete the arduous tasks.
The team started the project in November 2012. Originally, PM13 only removed tile and furniture from the steel subfloors in preparation for the installation of new furniture and flooring. In April 2014 the PM13 team took on the additional task of removing studs and equipment foundations welded to the deck, all in preparation for new equipment and tile installation.
Lincoln Chief Engineer Cmdr. Vincent Janowiak estimates the Navy saved millions of tax payer dollars simply by having Sailors work in areas such as PM13.
“In addition to the cost savings, what we are really doing is ensuring the success of the (RCOH) project,” Janowiak said. “Every time the ship’s force is asked to take on another task we always get the job done and we do it with pride and professionalism.”
Over the course of the project, PM13 Sailors met many milestones including accomplishing portions of the RCOH project 18 months ahead of schedule.
“Applying a culture of starting tasks early enabled the team to finish 18 months ahead of any other previous RCOH carrier,” said PM13’s division officer, Chief Warrant Officer Three Christopher Smith. Lincoln is the fifth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier to undergo RCOH.
Despite working around a labyrinth of hoses, temporary wiring, replacement parts and material, one of the biggest challenges may have been accomplishing their milestones without disrupting other shipyard activities.
“PM13 leadership worked with (Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries) and various contractors to coordinate all work between the ship’s force and shipyard workers throughout the process of deck removal,” Smith said. “This accomplishment allowed other work throughout the ship to continue without interference.”
Lincoln is currently undergoing RCOH at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries.
Once RCOH is complete, Lincoln will be one of the most modern and technologically advanced Nimitz-class aircraft carriers in the fleet and will continue to be a vital part of the nation's defense.
| Date Taken: | 08.07.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.07.2014 16:17 |
| Story ID: | 138641 |
| Location: | NEWPORT NEWS, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 69 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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