Collins, King, Shaheen, Ayotte Announce Funding for Shipyard, Virginia Class Submarines

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) announced today that $11.5 million in funding for military construction at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the procurement of two Virginia-class submarines has been included in the Senate Committee on Appropriations’ FY 2014 Omnibus Appropriations Bill as a result of their collective efforts. The provisions are part of bipartisan legislation that was introduced Monday by the Senate and House Appropriations Committees and could be voted on as early as tomorrow.

“These investments in Portsmouth Naval Shipyard – particularly during a time of so many budgetary challenges – highlight the installation’s importance to our Navy and our national defense,” said Senators Collins, King, Shaheen, and Ayotte in a joint statement. “The $11.5 million investment in our shipyard, the procurement of two Virginia-class submarines, and sufficient funding and predictability to avoid furloughs is a huge win for our economy, the skilled men and women who work at the shipyard, and our national security.”

“Moving forward we will continue to partner in support of the shipyard and its dedicated workforce,” they added.

The $11.5 million in military construction funding will go towards the consolidation of structural shops, which will improve the efficiency of operations at the Shipyard. The project is funded even as the Department of Defense has delayed or cancelled $4.1 billion in military construction projects during the next five budget years. The project was originally scheduled for 2015 before being accelerated to 2014 following efforts by members of the Maine and New Hampshire delegations to increase investments to address modernization needs at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Last year, the Senators advocated for funding included in the omnibus appropriations bill and Senators Collins, Shaheen, and Ayotte also included a provision in the fiscal year 2012 National Defense Authorization Act that required the Navy to develop a plan to modernize the infrastructure at our public shipyards.

The appropriations bill also provides funding for two Virginia class submarines in FY 2014. The three also worked together to restore funding in the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act to build a second Virginia class submarine in FY 2014.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Returns USS Pittsburgh to the Fleet

KITTERY, Maine (NNS) -- Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) delivered Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720) on-time and under budget, NAVSEA announced Aug. 15.

PNSY conducted the Pittsburgh pre-inactivation restricted availability (PIRA) off-yard at Sub Base New London in Groton, Conn. which began Sept. 5, 2012.

Although PNSY routinely performs work off-yard, this was the first major Chief of Naval Operations availability of more than 100,000 man-days which PNSY executed outside of Kittery, Maine.

"Off-yard availabilities are unique and require an all-inclusive team mentality from planning to execution," said Don Robinson, deputy project superintendent. "The can-do attitude of our entire team made small work of even first-time challenges throughout the execution period."

The project team and crew's combined pride and work ethic drove them to success as they met the overhaul's key dates including undocking three days early - none of which would have been possible without the maintenance partnership with the Pittsburgh crew lead by commanding officer, Cmdr. William Solomon.

"Cmdr. Solomon and the crew of Pittsburgh were side-by-side with the shipyard in overcoming each and every obstacle," said, Capt. James Kalowsky, PNSY operations officer. "They truly exemplified the ship's motto and displayed a 'heart of steel.'"

The on-time and on-budget completion of submarine availabilities is critical in the maintenance of today's fleet and is essential to maintaining readiness. PNSY remains devoted to the technical excellence and judiciousness that is required to meet schedule and budget demands.

"This shipyard has been providing for the defense of this country and maintaining the Navy for more than 200 years," said Capt. William Greene, shipyard commander. "The platforms may have changed from sailing ships to nuclear-powered submarines but one thing that will always remain is the traditional Portsmouth quality work which continues to safely deliver excellence for the nation and the Navy."

PNSY, a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command, is committed to maximizing the material readiness of the fleet by safely delivering first-time quality, on-budget, and on-time.

USS Miami Repairs To Continue

From the office of Angus King
Doug Mills 
World and National News Editor
RCN America Network

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), and Angus King (I-ME) today announced that the U.S. Navy has informed them that it has identified the funds needed to continue forward with repairs to the USS MIAMI as planned.  This announcement comes as the Navy is considering spending reductions to ship overhauls, maintenance and other programs as a result of sequestration.

The FY 2013 Defense Appropriations bill included $150 million specifically for repairs to the USS MIAMI, which was severely damaged during a fire in May 2012.  That bill was included in the Continuing Resolution that passed the Senate on March 20thand was signed into law.

"As the Navy undergoes the difficult task of implementing budget cuts under sequestration, I am pleased that Secretary Mabus plans to move fully forward with repairs to the USS MIAMI,” Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) said.  “As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I fought to include $150 million in the Defense Appropriations bill because the USS MIAMI is a significant investment in our national security, and it must return to our fleet as soon as possible. There is no workforce better suited for this task than the talented men and women at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery.”

“This is a welcome announcement from the Navy and represents a serious investment in our national security,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness.  “The men and women serving at Portsmouth are the best at what they do and have been providing critical Navy support for almost 200 years. These repairs will allow Portsmouth to continue its long tradition of supporting our military and I look forward to the day that our Shipyard officially delivers USS MIAMI back to the fleet.”

"I applaud the Navy’s decision to complete the repairs on the USS MIAMI,” said Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.  “I've worked with fellow delegation members to ensure the Navy completes these important repairs, and I’m pleased the skilled workers at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard can now finish their work and return this submarine to the fleet—where it will provide a critical capability for our combatant commanders."

“I could not be more pleased by the Navy’s announcement that it is moving forward with repairs of the USS MIAMI despite significant budgetary limitations,” said Senator Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower. “Recognizing the instrumental role the USS MIAMI plays in our submarine fleet, I joined with my colleagues to press for the passage of the Fiscal Year 2013 Defense Appropriations Bill which will help fund its repair – and I know the exceptional men and women of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard will work tirelessly to return the ship to service in first-rate condition as quickly as possible.”

50th Anniversary Of The Sinking Of U.S.S. Thresher

WASHINGTON, D.C. ­– Last night the U.S. Senate passed a resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the sinking of U.S.S. Thresher – a U.S. Navy submarine built and based at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The resolution was introduced by New England Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) and passed the Senate by unanimous consent.

The resolution pays tribute to the U.S.S. Thresher’s naval and civilian crew who were lost on April 10, 1963 and “expresses … deepest gratitude to all submariners on ‘eternal patrol’, who are forever bound together by dedicated and honorable service to the United States of America.”

“The loss of the U.S.S. Thresher and its courageous crew was a profound tragedy for the Portsmouth Naval shipyard community, New Hampshire, and the nation.  Fifty years after the death of the Thresher’s 129 crew members, we can say without a doubt that their deaths were not in vain, and their memory endures,” Shaheen said.  “The crew of the U.S.S. Thresher inspired the creation and implementation of the most comprehensive naval submarine safety program in the world.  Their legacy of service and sacrifice are carried not only in our hearts, but in the rigorous steps we now take to protect and safeguard every submarine and crew that enters our waters.”

“The crew of the U.S.S. Thresher made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country, and we will never forget them,” Ayotte said.  “We can honor their service and sacrifice by ensuring current and future shipyard workers and submariners have everything they need to safely maintain and operate our nation’s submarine fleet—which is so critical to our nation’s security.”

“The loss of life on U.S.S Thresher was the worst submarine disaster in American history.  Among the 129 lost were several veteran submariners whose service began during World War II and extended into the Cold War, two brothers, and a young husband who had just learned he was to become a father.   Each of the 129 men left behind a grieving family and a hometown in sorrow.  They did not die in vain,” Collins said. “The Thresher disaster directly led to the SUBSAFE program that ensures every submarine in America’s fleet undergoes rigorous testing to safeguard our submariners.  Every safe voyage and every crisis survived since that terrible time is the legacy of the U.S.S Thresher.”

“The painful loss of the U.S.S. Thresher and its valiant crew draped a veil of sadness over the nation on that fateful April day in 1963. Fifty years later, our hearts are still broken by the tragedy and communities in Maine and New Hampshire, united by Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, continue to feel the sorrow of the loss,” King said. “We take solace in knowing that the memory of those 129 brave crewmembers will forever live on and that their sacrifice was not in vain, for it inspired the creation of the SUBSAFE program that protects our submarines and our brave submariners to this day.”

In response to the loss of U.S.S. Thresher, the United States Navy instituted new regulations to ensure the health of the submariners and the safety of the submarines of the United States, which led to the establishment of the Submarine Safety and Quality Assurance program (SUBSAFE).  Now one of the most comprehensive military safety programs in the world, SUBSAFE has kept U.S. submariners safe at sea ever since its implementation.

 The full text of the resolution is below:

Importance of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

Angus King Meets with Navy Admiral; Underscores Importance of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, met yesterday with AdmiralJohn Richardson, Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, and a graduate of York High School in York, Maine. During the meeting, Senator King discussed the exceptional repair and overhaul work performed at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) and underscored the important role that PNSY plays in securing and protecting American national security at home and across the globe. The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program is the joint Department of Energy and Department of Navy organization responsible for all aspects of the Navy's nuclear propulsion, including the operation and maintenance of naval nuclear propulsion plants and relatedoperations at facilitieslike Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

“Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is a first-rate facility with hardworking men and women whose repair and overhaul of our Navy’s nuclear-powered submarines contributes immeasurably to the safety and security of our nation,” said Senator King. “It was critical for me to meet Admiral Richardson to discuss range of issues related to the Navy’s nuclear propulsion program, including the importance of the PNSY – not only for the people of Maine, but for our national security as well – and I appreciate him taking the time to speak with me.”

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard's primary mission is the overhaul, repair, and modernization of Los Angeles-classnuclear-powered submarines.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Historic Building to Receive Energy Efficient Upgrades

KITTERY, Maine (NNS) -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic awarded a contract Dec. 28 for energy improvements and repairs to the historic Building 92 structural shops at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine.

The $13.8 million project is projected to reduce the building's annual energy consumption by 82 percent through the use of renewable energy, efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning and electrical systems, and smart metering technology.

"In an industrial facility such as Building 92 structural shops, and in a climate such as Maine, the primary energy driver is building heat," said Lee Enzastiga, NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic project manager for the Northeast Integrated Products Team. "An energy recovery system will be installed to recover heat being exhausted from the industrial process exhaust and transfer that heat to the incoming air to the building."

A new, large polycarbonate window system will replace a deteriorating window wall and also help reduce energy costs while still preserving the historic character of the building's exterior walls which cover nearly 30,000 square feet of this submarine fabrication and repair facility.

"The new window system will be a translucent curtain wall system that resembles the historic configuration of the existing window system but increases the R-value and prevents air infiltration," Enzastiga said. The higher the R-value, or the thermal resistance of a material, the better the material is at insulating, he added.

Large exterior overhead doors will be replaced or refurbished and large fans will be installed in middle and high bays to draw down the large amount of heat trapped at the high ceiling so it can be used to heat other areas in the building.

The project also incorporates several renewable energy technologies such as a solar wall that will preheat air by solar radiation, fans that will feed the preheated air into the building, and hot water coils that will supplement the solar heat. The building's automated heating system will manage the operation of the fans so they only run when it is efficient to do so, Enzastiga said.

Lastly, a new lighting management system will adjust interior lighting accordingly to maximize natural daylight use from the new window wall.

The competitively procured contract was awarded to ECC of Marlborough, Mass. Work will be performed in Kittery, Maine and is expected to be completed by October 2014.

For more news from Naval Facilities Engineering Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navfachq/.