Courtesy Photo | Selected by Program Executive Office for Submarines (PMS 435), NSWC Port Hueneme...... read more read more
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In June, Program Executive Office for Submarines (PMS 435) awarded Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division’s (NSWC PHD) Tom Kierce with the 2016 Submarine Electromagnetic Systems Excellence Award for his outstanding contributions to submarine radars.
As the subject matter expert (SME) for all submarine radars, Kierce is recognized for maintaining and upgrading legacy systems that faced obsolescence issues. His ability to research, identify, and re-create obsolete parts resulted in significant cost savings to the Navy while ensuring the continuity of the U.S. Submarine Force.
Caught up in his work, Kierce was not expecting the award. Although he is happy to receive the recognition, he feels the ultimate reward is being able to produce better systems for the Navy.
“While sitting at the airport,” he recalled, “dealing with delayed and cancelled flights to D.C., I received the news I had been selected as the PMS 435 Electromagnetic Systems Employee of the Year for 2016. I was quite surprised as 2016 was an extremely exhausting year. The overwhelming work year provided an extraordinary recognition for my efforts, trying to make the radar systems better.”
Specifically, Kierce is attributed with conducting an in-house repair program for parts of the AN/BPS-16 radar system; reverse engineering more than 80 obsolete parts for Virginia Class submarines; and quickly establishing an AN/BPS-16 radar inboard electronics repair site at NSWC PHD’s Virginia Beach Detachment.
Originally from Massachusetts, Kierce joined the Navy in 1982 and dedicated 22 years before entering the private sector. His first introduction to submarine radars occurred in 1997 while serving aboard USS Augusta (CA 31). His radar education continued after being stationed at Fleet Technical Support Center, Atlantic, in Groton, Conn., where he became familiar with the BPS-16 and its residual mast problems aboard USS Seawolf (SSN 021).
Upon retiring from the Navy, Kierce worked in the defense industry as the on-site in-service engineering agent (ISEA) in Groton supporting Virginia Beach Detachment with sensors aboard the newly constructed Virginia Class submarines. Several years later, in 2009, he joined the command as the ISEA BPS-16 SME, remaining in Groton.
“Expertise like Tom's is critical to an In-Service Engineering Agent like PHD,” said Cmdr. John Lukacs, Ship Defense and Expeditionary Warfare Department Officer, “and the fleet relies upon it to keep the systems working over their entire planned life cycle. We work hard, day in and day out, to keep all the Navy's radars operating at their best, and it's great to see him recognized.”
According to Kierce, his experience in the Navy is what drives him to pursue excellence for those currently serving.
“Being a submarine sailor,” he said, “I know how life is, and I still use the thought process when I interact with them. The goal is for the ship to go to sea and perform their missions. We at NAVSEA [Naval Sea Systems Command] need to be fully engaged and do what is necessary so they succeed.”
NSWC PHD is a field activity of NAVSEA and provides the global U.S. Navy fleet with integration, test and evaluation, life-cycle logistics, and in-service engineering for today’s and tomorrow’s warfare systems. Located at Naval Base Ventura County, Calif., NSWC PHD employs more than 2,500 personnel.
| Date Taken: | 06.19.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 06.19.2017 11:49 |
| Story ID: | 238407 |
| Location: | PORT HUENEME, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 371 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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