USS Wasp Undocks Ahead of Schedule

From Norfolk Naval Shipyard Public Affairs

USS Wasp (LHD 1), in Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) for an eight-month docking phased maintenance availability (DPMA), undocked Sept. 18, one day ahead of schedule.

"Wasp has met or exceeded all key events in this availability, and the early undocking sets the stage for future success," said Charlie Caudle, NNSY project superintendent.

"[The undocking was] a very long and tedious process that went smooth as silk, which is exactly as it should be," said Capt. Dan Fillion, Wasp commanding officer. "The whole event from planning to execution was a superlative example of the excellent maintenance team on Wasp."

In addition to Caudle, the Wasp team is headed by deputy project superintendents Bryan Holberton and Lt. Cmdr. Robin Ball.

The fiscal year 2008 DPMA has more than 124,000 man-days of work, with NNSY performing more than 24,000 man-days of core work on the ship's elevators, forced draft blowers and boilers. The remainder of the DPMA work is being done by BAE Systems and the alteration installation team. Major jobs include a new local area network system, fuel oil compensation stability and MV-22 Osprey modifications which allow the ship to operate, maintain and transport the tilt rotor aircraft effectively.

"The Wasp team has done a phenomenal job of coordinating the efforts of multiple organizations to integrate required maintenance and modernization work to be successful at this stage of the availability," said NNSY's Commander, Capt. Richard D. Berkey.

According to Berkey, this unique availability tested the limits of the NNSY-industry partnership in Hampton Roads.

"The collaboration at the project level with all parties was critical to making this successful and the relationships have been very positive and productive," said Berkey.

NNSY, a Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) field activity, is one of four public shipyards that play a major role in maintaining America's fleet and providing wartime surge capability to keep the nation's ships ready for combat.