Moving Maintenance Forward: Detroit Completes Expeditionary Availability

Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Devin Bowser | 191212-N-DW182-1071 GUANTANAMO BAY (Dec. 12, 2019) Machine Mate 1st Class Tanner Gutierrez flushes a hose during fueling operations on the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Detroit (LCS 7). During this deployment to the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility, USS Detroit, with embarked helicopter and USCG law enforcement detachment, will support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter-drug patrols and detection and monitoring of illicit traffic in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Devin Bowser/Released)  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

01.17.2020

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. 4th Fleet

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (Jan. 17, 2020) – The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Detroit (LCS 7) departed its maintenance and logistics hub in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba after a week-long planned maintenance availability (PMAV) period, Jan. 17.
PMAV is a monthly process in the ship’s schedule conducted by littoral combat ships, in which a maintenance team assists with the completion of planned maintenance due to the ship’s minimally manned crew. Compared to other Navy ship platforms, the littoral combat ship has a relatively small crew. Labor and technical support during Detroit’s deployment is supplemented with civilian contractors who conduct most of the preventative maintenance schedule (PMS) work.
“Maintenance is very important for the ship,” said Senior Chief Fire Controlman Ernest Johnson, Maintenance Materials Management Coordinator (3MC). “Just like a car that doesn’t get regular oil or filter changes, if you don’t maintain your equipment it breaks. It doesn’t last very long. So, it’s very important that we conduct all of our maintenance.”
According to Johnson, the goal of each PMAV period is to complete all the scheduled maintenance within a week-long timeframe which makes it possible for her to remain underway for her deployment.
“When the contractors come onboard they only have a week, when normally we would have 13 weeks to complete the same maintenance,” said Johnson.
The maintenance team completed 1,099 of the 1,455 scheduled maintenance checks during this second PMAV. The addition civilian contractors to the maintenance team is essential for project completion according to Johnson.
“A maintenance availability of this size and scope done in this location challenged the crew and contractors alike,” said Lt. David Gryzwacz, Chief Engineer. “Through long hours, careful planning and dedicated teamwork, Detroit successfully completed the second OCONUS (outside continental United States) PMAV of her maiden deployment. I’m very proud of the tenacity and professionalism displayed by the ship’s engineering department.”

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet employs maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, fortify the ability of U.S. forces to work together with partner nations, and build enduring partnerships with the ultimate goal of enhancing regional security and promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

• Date Taken: 01.17.2020
• Date Posted: 01.21.2020 12:47
• Story ID: 359798
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU