Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CNSP) hosted a Maintenance and Modernization Summit, Feb. 25-26 to ensure continued readiness of the U.S. Navy’s surface fleet.
The event brought together senior maintenance professionals from NAVSEA, CNSP, Naval Supply Systems Command, Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, Defense Logistics Agency, Program Executive Offices, Navy Regional Maintenance Centers, type commanders, fleet stakeholders and industrial base representatives to discuss multi-faceted approaches to improve sustainment, maintenance and modernization outcomes.
"Our goal is to send combat ready ships forward," said Vice Adm. Roy Kitchener, Commander, Naval Surface Forces. "This begins with completing maintenance availabilities on time, having the right spare parts onboard when we leave the pier, and training our crews to make repairs at sea. Fewer maintenance delays and increased ship reliability affords Sailors more time to train to the high end fight.”
On day one, Navy presenters focused on initiatives to support the on-time delivery of ships, a key component to surface fleet readiness. Discussions also placed increased focus on sustainment to inform conditions for execution of maintenance and modernization efforts, the need for comprehensive plans of action, milestone adherence, and leveraging data to inform actions.
The second day of the summit concentrated on industry assessments and the sharing of best practices by industry and ship repair association presenters to improve performance planning and execution. In addition, NAVSEA 21 and type commanders discussed a number of data analytics and modeling initiatives focused on obstacles and barriers to on-time delivery of surface ships from availabilities.
“There has been a lot of good work, and the team continues to drive forward, but the effort here is to ensure our actions are translating into measureable progress and that we’re hitting the mark,” said Vice Adm. Bill Galinis, Commander, Naval Sea System Command. “Our number one priority is to deliver ships, submarines, and systems on time, providing our Sailors and Marines with the warfighting readiness required to project power.”
The annual Maintenance and Modernization Summit is sponsored by Surface Team One which serves as the coordinating body for representatives across the surface maintenance, modernization and sustainment enterprise and provides the structure for the management of long-term systematic improvements in quality, schedule and performance.