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NORFOLK, Va. -- On the morning of January 17, 1955, at 11a.m., Commander Eugene P. Wilkinson (ret), the first commanding officer of the USS Nautilus, ordered all lines cast off and signaled the memorable and historic message, “Underway on nuclear power.”
The Nautilus was the first naval vessel powered on nuclear reactors. Fast forward 73 years; the U.S. Navy continues to rely on nuclear power to provide propulsion for some of its vessels, and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) remains at the forefront of this technology. Truman marked 25 years of operating reliable and sustainable nuclear power on March 24, 2023.
The benefits of nuclear power are clear. Nuclear-powered ships can operate for years without refueling. This allows them to stay out at sea longer and travel faster than conventionally-powered ships. They are faster, more maneuverable and their nuclear reactors make these feats possible.
Truman’s reactor department is spearheaded by their senior enlisted leader, Master Chief Machinist’s Mate (Nuclear) Devon Goyer. She is the reactor department’s leading chief petty officer and consistently works hard along her Sailors to provide the ship with sustainable and reliable nuclear power daily.
“Celebrating the anniversary is a reflection of reactor department,” said Goyer. “It’s important to highlight the fact that all Sailors in reactor department work hard. We instill a strong focus on training, integrity, and professionalism.”
Goyer stated that Truman’s reactor department works long hours and is usually the first department on the ship and the last one to leave.
“We put a lot of effort into maintaining the reactor,” said Goyer. “We wear it as a badge of honor. The scope of our work is different from that of most Sailors on the ship. The work that the reactor department puts in day in and day out affects everyone on the ship. Our Sailors put in those long hours, in part because it brings them satisfaction and a feeling of a job well done.”
Before Truman's propulsion plants go online, high-level planning and prep work must be done. Goyer explains the necessity of this process.
“The amount of planning that needs to occur prior to Truman’s reactors fully powering on can last a couple of weeks,” said Goyer. “It takes hundreds of man-hours to bring those reactors online. Afterward, to keep them online and functioning properly means that our reactor operators are standing proper watches. We’re maintaining the reactor plants correctly in accordance with the ship’s procedures. We practice for it, we train for it, and then we execute the task efficiently and appropriately.”
For Truman’s crew, the ship’s 25th anniversary of nuclear power is a proud moment. They know that they are part of a long and storied tradition of naval nuclear power, and they take pride in their ship’s ability to operate at the cutting edge of technology.
“Being a part of a nuclear ship in itself is a unique feeling,” said Machinist’s Mate (Nuclear) 2nd Class Michael Clark, a reactor department watch stander. “Being able to work in reactor department and being part of 25 years of Truman running on nuclear power is something that I and others are proud of. The work that I do every day is rewarding, and this milestone adds to it.”
As Truman prepares for its next deployment, the crew rests assured that they are sailing on one of the most advanced and capable ships on the water. With its nuclear reactors powering it forward, the Truman is ready to take on any challenge that comes its way.
Truman is the flagship of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCGS) and is currently undergoing a planned incremental availability (PIA) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
For more news from Truman, visit www.navy.mil/local.cvn75/, www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, www.twitter.com/usnavy, www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvn75/, www.facebook.com/cvn75, www.twitter.com/ussharrystruman, or http://instagram.com/uss_harrys.truman.
| Date Taken: | 03.24.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 12.08.2023 09:45 |
| Story ID: | 459480 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 127 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Truman’s Nuclear Reactor: 25 Years of Powering Ahead, by PO2 Christopher Suarez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
