BREMERTON, Wash –
The Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) completed an on-time, pierside pre-deployment availability, June 14 at Naval Station Everett. In 20 working days, the Gridley project team, ship’s force, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility Detachment Everett and Pacific Ship Repair delivered a combat-capable asset back to the fleet.
“This was a great team effort across the entire detachment in providing technical assistance and completing necessary repairs to support an on-time deployment for Gridley,” said Cmdr. Mark Schuchmann, officer-in-charge, PSNS & IMF Detachment Everett.
Highlights of the availability included PSNS & IMF Detachment Everett changing out the number one gas turbine generator and two main propulsion generator first stage blade sets and Pacific Ship Repair mechanically cleaning five air conditioner condensers. PSNS & IMF Detachment Everett also installed a new radar system recently introduced to the fleet. Gridley is only the second ship to undergo the installation of this radar system. USS Truxtun (DDG 103) in Norfolk, Virginia, was the first, starting installation just two-weeks before the start of the Gridley availability.
“Being one of the first to receive this radar, there were no prior ships to reference for installation guidance. Code 242, Engineering and Planning Branch, did an outstanding job developing a comprehensive, easily executable work package,” said Chief Machinist Mate Timothy Golden, Gridley project ship superintendent. “The radar installation was successfully accomplished through the teamwork demonstrated by all levels of maintenance activities.”
The depot level personnel constructed scaffolding that allowed detachment personnel to weld kick pipes, platforms, and foundations for the new radar. Ship’s force routed the power source to the radar cables required for operation and finally installed the radar itself.
Over the course of 12 months, Code 210, Fleet Technical Support, worked 265 technical assistance jobs, conducted over 500 line items of assessments and worked with ship’s force to take the freshly overhauled and upgraded ship through the training cycle.
“The successes seen with Gridley illustrate the importance of performing as a team and effectively communicating across boundaries,” stated Kevin Miller, Code 210.1, Combat Systems, branch head. “All parties involved worked tirelessly together to ensure the ship and crew deployed on time and battle ready.”