November 2014 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 21. UNITED STATES NAVY NEWS
In a harbor cruise that offered its guests a little bit of everything; even representa- tives from the Boston Celtics displayed the team’s 1981 NBA Championship Trophy in Constitution’s captain’s cabin for all to see. Following an additional 17-gun salute
off U.S. Coast Guard Base Boston, the site where Constitution was originally con- structed and launched Oct. 21, 1797, Old Ironsides returned to her berth in Charles- town Navy Yard at 1 p.m., where she will continue undergoing preparations for tran- sition into Drydock 1 in Charlestown Navy Yard in March 2015.
USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned warship afl oat, actively de- fended sea lanes against global threats from 1797 to 1855. Now a featured destination on Boston’s Freedom Trail, Constitution and her crew of U.S. Navy Sailors offer com- munity outreach and education about the ship’s history and the importance of naval seapower to more than 500,000 visitors each year.
Fleet Week San Francisco Hosts USS America (LHA 6) Commissioning, ‘En- ergy Warrior,’ and Navy Environmental Programs
From Chief of Naval Operations Energy and Environmental Readiness Division Public Affairs
SAN FRANCISCO (NNS) -- The Navy is spreading the word about its energy and environmental programs as part of Fleet Week San Francisco, with exhibits aboard USS America (LHA 6), USS Kidd (DDG 100) and at Pier 39. The USS America (LHA 6), the Navy’s newest amphibious assault ship, was com- missioned during a formal ceremony at Pier 30/32 during San Francisco Fleet Week, on October 11.
Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), the Honorable Ray Mabus, highlighted the ship’s advanced technology, including energy effi ciencies that enhance the ship’s warfi ghting and humanitarian assistance capabilities. “From the fuel-saving hybrid drive to a host of other systems, American technological innovation and manufactur- ing skill have always been powerful advan- tages,” said SECNAV.
In addition to its gas turbine engines,
USS America is equipped with an electric auxiliary propulsion system (APS) that saves fuel at speeds under 12 knots. Because LHA ships spend the majority of their time traveling at low speeds, this hybrid system can allow the ship to stay on station longer and/or travel farther between refueling. During the ceremony, Adm. Harry B. Harris, Commander, U.S. Pacifi c Fleet, commended the crew for their performance during acceptance trials and sailing around South America. He also stressed the impor- tance of the Navy’s use of biofuels, fuel-sav- ing electric auxiliary propulsion systems afl oat, and solar and wind power ashore. The Chief of Naval Operations En-
ergy and Environmental Readiness (N45) exhibits on board the USS America (LHA 6), USS Kidd (DDG 100), and at Pier 39 highlight the Navy’s efforts to become more energy effi cient and combat capable through technology and workforce training, and to explore domestically-produced sources of alternative fuel. The displays also describe Navy environmental initiatives such as marine mammal research, shipboard man- agement of plastics and other materials at sea, and using technology and best practices to keep oil out of the ocean and manage chemicals for ship maintenance. Fleet Week San Francisco also enabled Sailors and the general public to learn about the Navy’s recently launched “Energy War-
rior” app that is available free from the app store for iPads and Android devices. The app highlights Sailors and civilians out in the Fleet who are innovating to save energy and get the maximum warfi ghting punch out of every gallon. The app includes videos, energy facts, and articles that explore energy issues.
N45 representatives offered booth vis-
itors “Energy Warrior” business cards and posters with links to online Energy Warrior content. The app and related web pages are available at http://greenfl
eet.dodlive.mil/ energy/energywarrior/. People and naval commands with innovative energy ideas can send information to energywarrior@navy. mil.
For more news from Chief of Naval Operations Energy and Environmental Readiness Division, visit
www.navy.mil/ local/n45/.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Delivers USS Springfi eld Ahead of Schedule, Under Budget
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Public Affairs GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) delivered USS Springfi eld (SSN 761) back to the fl eet on Sept. 12 ahead of schedule and under budget. PNSY conducted Springfi eld’s docking continuous maintenance availability off- yard at Sub Base New London in Groton, Connecticut. Although PNSY routinely performs work outside the Kittery, Maine shipyard, off-yard availabilities are unique and an all-inclusive team mentality from planning to execution is especially import- ant.
The Springfield Project Team and
Ship’s Force, with support from PNSY and the Regional Support Group in Groton, led the submarine’s availability. Project Superintendent Lt. Cmdr. Andrew Luteran attributed the successful maintenance avail- ability to teamwork and adhering to project management fundamentals.
Throughout the docking phase of the maintenance period the project team suc- cessfully executed nearly 24,000 man-days of maintenance. This contributed to the delivery of Springfi eld one day early and $3 million under budget.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is the
Navy’s center of excellence for fast-attack submarine maintenance, modernization, and repair. The on-time or early completion of submarine availabilities are critical in the maintenance of the fl eet and are essential to maintaining warfi ghter readiness. As a fi eld activity of NAVSEA, PNSY is committed to maximizing the material readiness of the fl eet by safely delivering fi rst-time quality, on time, and on budget.
Nuclear Navy and USS Nautilus Cele- brate 60th Anniversary
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Comerford, Naval History and Heritage Command Communication and Outreach Division
GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy celebrated the 60th anniversary of the com- missioning of USS Nautilus and the birth of the nuclear Navy Sept. 30, 2014 in a cere- mony aboard the historic ship in its home at the Submarine Force Museum and Library in Groton, Conn.
It was Sept. 30, 1954, when the subma- rine community took the fi rst step in shifting from diesel-driven engines to those powered by the collision of atoms, an evolution that eventually resulted in the all nuclear-pow- ered submarine force of today. The possibility of nuclear-powered vessels was just a dream in 1946 until the successful development of a nuclear propul-
sion plant by scientists and engineers at the Naval Reactors Branch of the Atomic En- ergy Commission. The program was driven to completion under the leadership of then- Capt. Hyman G. Rickover, widely-known as the “Father of the Nuclear Navy.” Many in attendance at the ceremony recalled their service onboard Nautilus as the pinnacle of their Navy careers and shared their fondness for Vice Admiral Eugene “Dennis” Wilkinson, the ship’s fi rst com- manding offi cer. Wilkinson passed in 2013, but still left some words of wisdom for the crowd.
“In Dennis Wilkinson’s words ‘They may make em’ better, but they will never be the fi rst,’” said retired Capt. Ray Engle, a young offi cer at the time of the commis- sioning.
Henry Nardone Sr., 92, was a project of-
fi cer on Nautilus. He said working on the nu- clear-powered submarine was the highlight of his 12 1/2-year naval career. He started as a “fresh-caught” lieutenant junior grade when the keel was laid in August 1955 and was there through her commissioning into the Navy on Sept. 30, 1954. As a civilian, he was in charge of her fi rst major overhaul in 1973 at Electric Boat where he was manager of the overhaul program. Just three years after being authorized by Con- gress in 1951, USS Nautilus was commissioned, Sept. 30, 1954. It wasn’t until the morning of Jan. 17, 1955, however, when its first skipper, Cmdr. Eugene P. Wilkinson, signaled the message: “Underway on Nuclear Power.”
From then, Nautilus went on to break numerous speed and distance records for submarines. Three years later, Nautilus completed a secret mission called Opera- tion Sunshine when the boat passed under the North Pole on Aug. 3, 1958, the fi rst watercraft to cross the “top” of the world. “For the world, our country, and the Navy - the North Pole,” declared the boat’s commanding offi cer, Cmdr. William R. Anderson.
Decommissioned and stricken from the Navy rolls in 1980, Nautilus’ future was assured when the Secretary of the Interior designated the submarine as a National Historic Landmark May 20, 1982. After a historic ship conversion, Nautilus opened to the public April 11, 1986, eighty-six years to the day after the establishment of the U.S. Submarine Force, to continue her service as an example of the Navy’s pioneering role in harnessing nuclear power, as the fi rst in a fl eet of nu- clear-powered ships, and as steward of the American submarine force’s reputation for and history of operational excellence. He believes he is fortunate to have served on Nautilus.
The Submarine Force Museum main- tains the world’s fi nest collection of sub- marine artifacts. As the only submarine museum operated by the United States Navy, it is the primary repository for artifacts, documents and photographs relating to U.S. Submarine Force history. The museum trac- es the development of the “Silent Service” from David Bushnell’s Turtle, used in the Revolutionary War, to the Ohio and Virgin- ia-class submarines.
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