Shipyard Spotlight: Myshalai Whalen, Code 950 Electrical/Optical Hull Fitting and MQJ Lab Supervisor

Photo By Daniel DeAngelis | Code 950 Electrical/Optical Hull Fitting and MQJ Lab Supervisor Myshalai Whalen overcomes challenges at work by reaching out to other team members for their expertise and trusts that they will guide her to success.  

PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

11.14.2025

Story by Susanne Greene 

Norfolk Naval Shipyard

Just like the complex LEGO sets Myshalai Whalen likes to put together when she’s off duty, she is the perfect fit as Electrical/Optical Hull Fitting and Measurement Quality Jumper (MQJ)  Lab Supervisor for Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s (NNSY) Electrical/Electronics Department (Code 950). She has worked at the shipyard for more than six years starting as an Electrician Apprentice in February 2019. Currently, she is an Electrician Supervisor and tracks timekeeping, reviews technical documents and trains and mentors her team to achieve both quality and excellence in their work.

Whalen was nominated by both NNSY Fiber Optic Mechanic Haley Mustard and NNSY Marine Electrician Christopher Apple.

“Ms. Whalen exemplifies the quality of an engaged leader and goes above and beyond in our section every day,” said Mustard. “She is knowledgeable in the work and makes herself available to teach others and leads by example by actively listening to her team, providing clear direction, and fostering a positive and productive work environment.”

Mustard continued, “Whalen empowers her team and celebrates successes and regularly acknowledges and appreciates our team's efforts and achievements. Her leadership represents the values of NNSY and demonstrates integrity throughout her role as supervisor.”

Whalen’s work supports the Code 950 mission of installing, connecting and operational testing of shipboard electrical and electronic systems and components, and specifically for those on submarines undergoing overhaul at NNSY.   The Electrical/Electronics Department overhauls components on Light Weight Wide Aperture Array (LWAA) which use fiber optic sensors on submarines used to detect and track other vessels. The system enhances the capabilities of submarines to gain a greater understanding of the sub's environment. The Large Aperture Bow Array (LAB) Array provides enhanced detection of underwater targets and acoustic signal transfer, and the CHIN Array is a high frequency sonar system used along shallow and noisy coastal waters.

“Her astonishing acts of valor led to the successful upgrade of LWAA, LAB Array and CHIN Array  systems on a submarine,” said NNSY Marine Electrician Christopher Apple. “Her efforts ensure our warfighting readiness, and she is an asset to NNSY, the United States Navy and our Nation.”

The most rewarding part of Whalen’s job is working with her team.

“I enjoy witnessing the confidence, excitement, and pride in my team when they achieve success on difficult projects,” said Whalen.

She overcomes challenges at work by reaching out to other team members for their expertise and trusts that they will guide her to success.

“To be a good leader you must lead by example, be knowledgeable, accountable and available for your team,” said Whalen. “Innovation starts when you question the norm, leadership happens when you act on it.”

She believes that anyone interested in a career at NNSY must be open-minded, flexible and eager to learn as that is how you grow.

“The best career advice I received at NNSY is to not take anyone’s word for something,” said Whalen. “There is so much literature available to use, and it’s important to know where that information comes from.”
Whalen continued, “Being proficient at utilizing process instructions has played a huge part in my success.”

When she winds down at home she enjoys building complex LEGO sets, playing corn hole and enjoying a bonfire with family and friends.

• Date Taken: 11.14.2025
• Date Posted: 11.14.2025 12:21
• Story ID: 551102
• Location: PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, US