www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, April 18, 2024 1
IN THIS ISSUE BATARG and 26th MEU(SOC) return home after an 8-month deployment as the Immediate Crisis Response Force for the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command region PAGE A6
VOL. 32, NO. 14, Norfolk, Va. | flagshipnews.com
April 18-April 24, 2024
Lt. Przemyslaw Lesniewics, from Katowice, Poland, assigned to engineering department’s damage control division as the ship’s fire marshal, right, and an inspector from the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) inspect equipment in the hangar bay of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), April 7, 2024. George Washington is moored at Naval Station Norfolk in the stages of INSURV to report ship readiness and ensure all spaces and equipment meet Navy standards. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 3RD CLASS AUGUST CLAWSON)
George Washington ‘SURVs’ up a combat ready ship By Petty Officer 2nd Class John Jarrett
USS George Washington (CVN 73)
Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) completed its Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) assessment Apr. 11. During INSURV, more than 120 inspectors embarked George Washington to observe and assess more than 400 events and demonstrations in port and at sea. INSURV inspectors examined engineering, combat systems and navigation equipment, as well as habitability environments to evaluate the overall material readiness of the ship. “I want to say to all our warfighters on this ship, outstanding work to the entire warfighting team,” said Capt. Tim Waits, George Washington’s commanding officer. “I am proud of every one of you and you should be proud of the work you’ve done and what you have accomplished over these past months.” The crew’s preparation prior to the inspection was key in George Washington’s successful performance. Leading up to INSURV, the crew completed preceding inspections from the Type Command
(TYCOM) Material Inspection Team, and Inspection and Readiness Assist Team to ensure all systems on board were operating at optimal standards. INSURV, started in 1870, is a congressionally-mandated inspection of U.S. Navy ships to report ship readiness to Congress and ensure that all spaces and equipment meet Navy standards required to support and sustain combat operations. “The keys to sustained material readiness and INSURV success are planned maintenance system, zone inspection, and routine demonstration of your warfighting systems,” said Rear Adm. Todd E. Whalen, INSURV president in his P4 message released in January. “It’s not about the inspection, it’s about being ready. Ships need to be to be able to do the things they were designed to do: get underway, be lethal, be survivable, and be safe. The inspection is about how things work, not how things look.” Immediately following INSURV, the crew will continue to prepare for its departure to deploy to the U.S. Southern Command area of operations as part of Southern Seas 2024 this spring.
Sailors and inspectors from the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) observe saltwater washdown on Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in the Atlantic Ocean, April 11, 2024. George Washington is underway in the Atlantic Ocean in the stages of INSURV to report ship readiness and ensure all spaces and equipment meet Navy standards. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 3RD CLASS AUGUST CLAWSON)
Huntington Hall revamps living quarters for Sailors, prioritizing quality of life By Myles Telly, Public Affairs Specialist
SUPSHIP Newport News and
Max Lonzanida, Public Affairs Officer Naval Weapons Station Yorktown
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Huntington Hall Naval Berthing Facility, a vital housing facility for Sailors stationed in Newport News on ships during extended maintenance and construction periods, recently completed a series of renovations aimed at enhancing their quality of life. The highlight of these improvements is the transformation of three-person rooms into two-person living quarters. This significant upgrade was made possible through the introduction of new furniture. The Navy’s dedication to addressing Sailor’s well-being concerns
prompted this initiative. “These renovations at Huntington Hall underline the Navy’s dedication to the well-being of our Sailors. By creating better living conditions as we aim to enhance their quality of life,” said Mark Stevens, the Unaccompanied Housing Site Director for Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Yorktown. Stevens pointed out some of the real benefits of this quality of life initiative during a visit earlier this week. Stevens highlighted the ongoing furniture removal process. He pointed out a team of contractors loading old furniture onto pallets for transport. “They are filling up two tractor-trailers daily with furniture. There Turn to Huntington Hall, Page 2
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (April 10, 2024) New furniture which consists of a new bed, armoire, night stands, desks, chairs and a dresser adorns a bright and airy double occupancy room at the Huntington Hall Naval Berthing Facility in Newport News, Virginia. New furniture was delivered to the berthing facility, along with a host of upgrades to shared bathroom spaces is among the plethora of quality of life enhancements at the facility. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MAX LONZANIDA/RELEASED)
“Art of Being a Military Child” on display now April is designated“Month of the Military Child”and it provides an opportunity to celebrate the children who sacrifice to support their parents’ service to the country. The annual“Art of Being a Military Child” exhibit at Virginia Beach’s Lynnhaven Mall is an opportunity to learn about those sacrifices from military children themselves. PAGE A5
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