The International Frigate Working Group (IFWG), hosted by Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., visited the Southeast Regional Maintenance Center (SERMC), May 9.
The working group consisted of partner countries that use the Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate, including Australia, Egypt, Turkey, Poland, Taiwan and Pakistan. The group meets annually to share ideas and lessons learned relating to the frigate class.
After being briefed by the commanding officer and executive director on the role SERMC serves for the surface ships, including valuable lessons learned from maintaining the Perry-class frigate, the members of the IFWG were provided an in-depth tour of the production facilities at SERMC.
“I was very impressed with SERMC, especially the extent of the facilities and the wide-array of capabilities here. I wish [SERMC] personnel could come to Australia to share their lessons learned with our maintenance personnel,” said Capt. Mona Shindy, an attendee from the Royal Australian Navy.
Though all of the remaining Perry-class frigates in the U.S. Navy fleet are scheduled to be decommissioned over the next few years, there is a lot of corporate knowledge at U.S. Navy maintenance centers, such as SERMC. Working groups, such as the IFWG, provides an excellent opportunity to share that knowledge and lessons learned with allied partner countries.
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Press Release, May 16, 2013; Image: Navy