Photo By Oscar Pope | Sailors assigned to Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity (SIMA) Norfolk pose for a...... read more read more
NORFOLK, Va. — Sailors assigned to Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity (SIMA) Norfolk are strengthening the Navy’s ability to sustain combat operations by preparing expeditionary maintenance containers, rapidly restoring warfighting readiness wherever the fleet operates.
As part of the upcoming Ship Wartime Repair and Maintenance Exercise (SWARMEX) scheduled for August, SIMA Norfolk Sailors strategically ladened a container with industrial plant equipment, piping, metal stock and other mission-essential materials for transport to the 6th Fleet area of operations to support an ongoing Expeditionary Repair Availability (EXRAV).
The evolution demonstrated the command’s ability to rapidly organize personnel, equipment and material needed to conduct maintenance outside traditional shipyard environments while preparing Sailors for operations in contested and austere conditions.
Unlike scheduled maintenance availabilities, EXRAVs provide flexible maintenance opportunities that support operational commanders when ships require repairs outside planned maintenance periods. Battle-damage-scenarios, developed using weapons-effects analysis by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Carderock Division, challenge repair teams to assess repair needs, prioritize repairs based on mission requirements and restore ship capability as quickly as possible.
“The EXRAV program allows us to train while helping ships complete maintenance that may not have been accomplished during a scheduled availability,” said Dave Jones, deputy department head for Expeditionary Maintenance at SIMA Norfolk. “It also provides the opportunity to execute battle damage assessment and repair scenarios that prepare our Sailors for wartime operations.”
Delivering expeditionary maintenance containers in a timely manner directly supports the Navy’s Expeditionary Maintenance and Repair Container (EMARC) initiative. The Navy seeks to pre-stage standardized repair packages capable of deploying on short notice. The long-term objective is to position expeditionary maintenance capabilities that can arrive within 72 hours to support fleet requirements during crisis or conflict.
Gunner’s Mate 1st Class Vivian Bourdier, added, “We’re building out these containers, so they’re already configured and ready to move when the fleet calls. That level of responsiveness will be critical to supporting future combat operations.”
Beyond delivering maintenance capability, the evolution provides Sailors valuable expeditionary experience by placing them in unfamiliar operating environments where they must adapt to limited resources, changing conditions and complex maintenance challenges.
“We’re taking the technical expertise our Sailors develop at SIMA and applying it in expeditionary environments,” said Jones. “That experience builds confidence, develops innovative problem-solvers and prepares our maintenance professionals to restore combat capability wherever the mission requires.”
Commanding Officer Capt. Megan Thomas said SIMA Norfolk remains committed to delivering expeditionary maintenance capabilities that increase operational endurance, strengthen logistics readiness and ensure America’s warships remain ready to fight and win.
“The Expeditionary Maintenance Program serves as a readiness multiplier by developing highly skilled Sailors capable of sustaining the fleet anytime and anywhere,” said Thomas.
The U.S. Navy reestablished SIMA commands in Norfolk and San Diego in June. The reestablishment directly supports the Navy's vision of utilizing a responsive, Sailor-led force to optimize materiel readiness while building Sailors' technical expertise and fleet self-sufficiency.
| Date Taken: | 07.21.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 07.22.2026 11:23 |
| Story ID: | 570402 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 186 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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