PORTSMOUTH, Va. -- USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75) departed Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) July 21, completing its 10-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) two days early.
The PIA is a recurring part of Truman's maintenance lifecycle. Scheduled approximately every 36 months, a PIA maintains the projected 50-year service life of an aircraft carrier by taking the ship offline for an extended period to accomplish deep maintenance and modernization that would be impractical during a normal in-port period. The early completion reflects Vice Adm. Tom Moore, NAVSEA commander's commitment to returning ships to the fleet on-time, on-budget.
Truman's Commanding Officer, Capt. Ryan B. Scholl, praised the ship's crew, NNSY and civilian contractors for working together to stay on schedule and making an on-time departure from the shipyard.
"The number one goal for this ship over the last year was making it better than when it arrived here," said Scholl. "The excitement, enthusiasm and teamwork are what propelled us out of the shipyard. Truman is ready to tackle the next stage of doing what carriers do - conduct prompt and sustained combat operations from the sea."
Work during the availability included an upgrade to the Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services, the Navy's next-generation tactical afloat network, which enhances operational effectiveness and provides better quality of life for deployed Sailors.
Additional maintenance and refurbishments in preparation for future operations included rehabilitating 90,000 square feet of Truman's hangar bay and 10,000 square feet of catwalk.
"The biggest asset we used to ensure our success was our partnership and teamwork approach. We were one team with one fight, and that included everyone who worked on this project," said Mike Jennings, Truman project superintendent at NNSY.
Following sea trials, Truman will return to its homeport at Naval Station Norfolk.
NNSY is the oldest and largest industrial facility belonging to the U.S. Navy, and specializes in repairing, overhauling and modernizing ships and submarines.