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The move to Newport News has presented new challenges for Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). With the ship entering refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH), some departments have to carry out their daily operations off of the ship.
A few Navy rates now work out of the Maritime Building located at 2600 Washington Avenue, which is approximately 30 blocks away from the Newport News Shipyard.
“Since the George Washington is going through RCOH now, some departments have been relocated to other buildings, and even cities, to continue their daily operations,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Aircraft Handling) 3rd Class Dustin Hall, from Glen Falls, NY. “Everyone isn’t on the ship now, so we have to make sure that they have no issues getting to work on time.”
The Sailors that don’t have their own transportation have not been forgotten about throughout George Washington’s transition to the shipyard.
“They don’t have to worry about how they are going to get to work; all the Sailors have to do is be at one of the designated pick up spots,” said Hall. “We transport about 300 Sailors daily, so I feel that our role in Newport News is vital.”
Excluding the few unmarked parking spots throughout Newport News, GW Sailors have to park in the 50th Street parking lot, located at the intersection of 50th St. and Warwick Blvd.
“Newport News isn’t like other places, you can’t just park anywhere,” said Hall. “Almost all the other lots are private or you have to pay to park there.”
The 50th St. parking lot is far from Huntington Hall and the Maritime Building. This was taken into consideration and a shuttle service was initiated to help Sailors transit Newport News quickly and safely.
“It would take too much time to walk between these locations and would not be very efficient,” said Hall. “The area surrounding the shipyard is dangerous. Sailors that haven’t been exposed to this kind of environment may have a hard time adjusting. They feel safer riding a shuttle. The level of security isn’t the same as being on Naval Station Norfolk.”
Transportation provides around the clock service to help Sailors get to and from several locations in and around the Newport News area. Unlike Norfolk, Sailors can’t just walk everywhere, which is why the department on wheels is ready to take you where you need to go.
Sailors should be at the designated locations before the scheduled pick up times. Additional time in transit should be allotted for the two-block walk from 50th street parking lot to the ship.
If you have questions or comments in regards to transportation, please contact Transportation Dispatch at (757) 673-4318.
| Date Taken: | 08.14.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 08.25.2017 15:06 |
| Story ID: | 246017 |
| Location: | NEWPORT NEWS, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 63 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, GW Sailors benefit from shuttle service, by SN Marlan Sawyer, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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