www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, January 23, 2025 1
IN THIS ISSUE
Continuing a tradition of excellence: Wasp holds change of command Capt. Chris Purcell, the 27th commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, was relieved by Capt. Paul O’Brien during a change of command ceremony on Jan. 15, 2025. Page A2 VOL. 33, NO. 3, Norfolk, Va | FlagshipNews.com
January 23-January 29, 2025
Norfolk Naval Shipyard welcomed USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Jan. 8 in advance of its Planned Incremental Availability (PIA). (PHOTO BY SHELBY WEST, NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYARD)
Norfolk Naval Shipyard welcomes USS Dwight D. Eisenhower for Planned Incremental Availability By Michael D Brayshaw
Norfolk Naval Shipyard
Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) welcomed USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Jan. 8 in advance of its Planned Incremental Availability (PIA). A PIA is a scheduled period in which an aircraft carrier undergoes extensive maintenance and repairs and/or modernization to meet future operational demands. Jobs during a PIA can include a wide array of overhauls, repairs and inspections to the carrier’s systems. As one of the nation’s four public shipyards, NNSY focuses on generating fleet readiness and supporting the Chief of Naval Operation’s Navigation Plan (NAVPLAN) objective of putting “more ready players on the field,” those being
combat-ready platforms. The second of ten Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, Dwight D. Eisenhower enters NNSY following the successful on-time delivery of the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) PIA in November 2024. Similar to the approach used on CVN 77, Eisenhower’s project team adopted the model of getting the maximum amount of advance work accomplished while the carrier was located at Naval Station Norfolk. Additionally, the NNSY team is leveraging the best practices attained from when the ship executed its previous PIA completed in late 2022. Following the availability, the ship went on to deploy to the Red Sea and receive the Combat Action Ribbon in 2024. “IKE’s phenomenal last deployment provided a clear demonstration that the
work NNSY does is vital to ensuring our critical national assets are where they need to be, when they need to be there, and ready to execute the mission,” said Shipyard Commander Captain Jip Mosman. “Building on recent successes, I look forward to another timely Planned Incremental Availability. Press forward team!” As unforeseen maintenance can challenge PIA schedules, the project team is prioritizing early identification of any unplanned work, and effectively managing workload with available shipyard workforce capacity. “The project team is laser focused on the on-time delivery of IKE to support the Operational Commander and the CNO’s NAVPLAN,” said Project Superintendent Commander Jason Downs. “We built the right work package, we assembled the right
team, and we’re ready to ‘stand on business!’ ” NNSY’s mission to repair, modernize and inactivate Navy warships and training platforms directly supports NAVSEA’s Strategic Framework and Line of Effort to generate readiness by ensuring maintenance, modernization and sustainment of ships, submarines and systems is completed on-time to maximize readiness and availability for fleet tasking. For more information on NNSY and the other U.S. Naval Shipyards—Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility—please visit https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/ Shipyards/.
Navy Super Hornets from NAS Oceana honor President Carter with historic ‘missing man’ flyover By Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Public Affairs
PLAINS, Ga. — Twenty-one U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornets conducted a missing man formation flyover to honor the former U.S. President James Earl “Jimmy” Carter on Jan. 9. The eight squadrons, from Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic, that provided aircraft for the flyover were: The “Fighting Swordsmen” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32, the “Blue Blasters” of VFA-34, the “Rampagers” of VFA-83, the “Gunslingers” of VFA-105, the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103, the “Gladiators” of VFA-106, the “Wildcats” of VFA-131 and the “Checkmates” of VFA-211. All squadrons are based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Prior to flyover execution the squadrons were staged at NAS Jacksonville. During a missing man formation, a single aircraft breaks away from the formation and soars skyward. This symbolizes the departure of life from the ranks. Link to video. “Today, Naval Aviators from Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic were honored to salute President Carter with a 21-plane flyover over his home in Plains, Georgia,” said Rear Adm. Doug Verissimo, commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic (AIRLANT). “On behalf of the men and women of Naval Air Forces, we are grateful to commemorate the legacy of a leader who lived his life in service to our
nation.” Lt. Cmdr. Brandon Allgood, assigned to the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103, was one of the pilots supporting the flyover. Allgood is a Georgia-native whose grandfather was the Senate Majority Leader of the Georgia State Senate during President Carter’s time in office. “Getting to be part of this flyover was truly an amazing experience and something that’s only once in a lifetime,” said Allgood. “I am very humbled to be a part of the team who soared overhead Plains to recognize an incredible naval officer and friend of my grandfather.” Carter graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1946. As a naval officer and submariner, he served on USS Wyoming (E-AG 17), USS Barracuda (SSK-1), and the Naval Reactors Branch, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, in Washington, D.C. Capt. Chris Dentzer, commodore, Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic, emphasized the historic significance of this flyover. “The U.S. Navy pilots and aircrew who supported the flyover today are humbled to honor a former naval officer who selflessly served his country in uniform and in public office. President Carter represents our Navy core values of honor, courage and commitment,” said Dentzer. “Flyovers demonstrate not only the Turn to President Carter, Page 2
U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets perform a missing man formation during the state funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States, in Plains, Georgia, Jan. 9, 2025. Carter, who was also a 2002 Nobel Peace Prize recipient for his humanitarian efforts, passed away on December 29, 2024, at his home in Plains at the age of 100. (DOD PHOTO BY U.S. AIR FORCE SENIOR AIRMAN SPENCER CONTRERAS)
USNA and Submarine Force drive innovation in additive manufacturing Commander, Submarine Forces is researching the usage of additive manufacturing technology to address operational needs, in collaboration with midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy, Submarine Squadron Two, Submarine Squadron Four, and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Page A6
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