www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, May 4, 2023
1
IN THIS ISSUE
George Washington to replace Ronald Reagan as the forwarddeployed carrier in Japan in 2024 This marks the second time George Washington has served as the FDNF-J aircraft carrier, arriving in Japan in 2008 as the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to be forward-deployed to Japan before being relieved by Ronald Reagan in 2015. Page A6
VOL. 31, NO. 16, Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com
May 4-May 10, 2023
Shipyard Commander Capt. Dianna Wolfson and Production Resource Officer Capt. Frank Gasperetti toured Bldg. 1505’s Sub Hub Mar. 7 as part of their Gemba walks around the shipyard to see the progress being made to the shops, and speak with shipyard personnel. (PHOTO BY DANIEL DEANGELIS)
Norfolk Naval Shipyard leadership Gembas help resolve issues through workforce engagement By Michael D Brayshaw Norfolk Naval Shipyard
You may have recently heard the word “Gemba” in shipyard communications. So what the heck is a Gemba? Gemba simply means observing work in action, often to provide senior leaders a better understanding of how things get accomplished and provide any help that may be needed. Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) senior leaders have been increasing Gembas throughout the shipyard as part of an ongoing commitment to the workforce, ensuring standards are upheld and barriers are removed. Department heads, group superintendents, and project superintendents are all taking part in this significant effort across all work sites to include shipyard detachments. “Gembas are important to understand how work is performed, any associated working conditions, and to understand if we can incorporate improvements right
at the source,” said Shipyard Commander Captain Dianna Wolfson. “Gembas can also include observing working level meetings, and sometimes even having one-on-one conversations. Our Gembas are not just about finding problems; they can also be about recognizing excellence in action. That’s also a major part of why we Gemba.” In taking Gemba engagements to the next level, participating leaders provide a follow-up written report on what was seen, what was learned, and what action was taken. This effort will help NNSY continue to self-identify, self-assess and self-correct as ONE TEAM, leveraging the Navy’s Get Real, Get Better behaviors. “Direct observation and engagement matters,” said Wolfson. “Ultimately there is no substitute for eyes on target. I have always enjoyed my own Gembas—that’s often the best part of my week, to meet and engage with those who do the heavy lifting and are driving results for our Navy and Nation every day.”
Gembas may lead to something that a division head or project leader can go immediately resolve, such as a quick-fix in safety or cleanliness. Other Gembas may support morale and quality of work life, helping to identify facility issues with HVAC and restrooms. In one specific example, NNSY’s Naval Sustainment System—Shipyards (NSSSY) Champion Brittney Wright shared how Gembas have helped with the transformation of Building 1505 as a “sub hub” to improve work flow of the established work-execution cells for each tenant production shop. “Having senior leaders walk the space has not only brought attention to the need to improve our work space standards, the needed space and tooling to work efficiently, but has also driven accountability to the line organization owners to continue the progression of their transformation with urgency,” said Wright. “We also identified the work-execution cells could not be optimized with-
out simultaneously improving the quality of life spaces—specifically improving the 1505 mezzanine break area and creating a break room/internet café to prevent eating and drinking in the same industrial work spaces.” “We have been doing lots of Gembas on USS Toledo (SSN 769) and 1505, focusing on the mechanics and what we can do for them, and helping them get better every day,” added Joe Singer, Code 900F Facilities Manager. “Actions speak louder than words, and Gembas will show how we’re listening to our employees today, and every day,” said Wolfson. “We recognize our projects, shops, departments, and satellite locations must all support each other and be invested in our mutual success. Because as ONE TEAM, we must look through the lens of our workforce and make sure we don’t give up the shift in meeting our ONE MISSION. Together, we got this!”
Dahlgren civilian employee retires after 42 years of service By Kimberly Lansdale
Surface Combat Systems Training Command
DAHLGREN, Va. — A Surface Combat Systems Training Command (SCSTC) AEGIS Training and Readiness Center (ATRC) civilian employee retired after an extraordinary career spanning over 42 years of service on April 27. SCSTC ATRC staff wished Mr. Walter “Dwayne” Norwood, director of Aegis functional integration/future configuration, “Fair Winds and Following Seas” as he said goodbye to his Aegis family. “Forty-two years of dedicated service to our nation is truly awe-aspiring,” said
SCSTC ATRC’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Shaun Dennis. “Dwayne is a role model for our blended workforce. He was a first class petty officer in the Navy and even though he no longer served aboard a ship, he continued to take care of our warfighters. Thank you Dwayne for your unwavering service and commitment to our Navy and nation.” Norwood began his career in the U.S. Navy in October 1981. After six years of service, Electronics Warfare Technician 1st Class Norwood transitioned to civilian life. He started working at ATRC in October 1987 as a software developer and systems quality assurance contractor. In February
1988, he transitioned from contractor to government civilian, establishing the role of information technology specialty system administrator division lead for ATRC’s director of training readiness. He quickly became an indispensable member of the Aegis training community and made significant program-wide impacts on Aegis training throughout its evolution. Norwood guided the installation, connection, and testing of Aegis and associated training systems at the schoolhouse from the first baseline (BL) to BL 10. As the Aegis Weapon System evolved from Turn to Civilian retires, Page 8
Mr. Dwayne Norwood. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MICHAEL BOVA)
NPS, Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability team up for Department of the Navy’s latest Climate Tabletop Exercise www.flagshipnews.com
www.facebook.com/ The.Flagship
www.twitter.com/ the_flagship
The exercise convened participants from the DOD, federal agencies, Congress, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to generate solutions in support of DON’s “Climate Action 2030,” and broader sustainability goals. Page A3
THE FLAGSHIP’S FREE HOME DELIVERY SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS: Get the convenience of your Navy newspaper delivered to your door for free!
CALL TODAY! 757.446.9000