The U.S. Navy’s eighth Nimitz-class aircraft USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) has returned to sea departing Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) for sea trials on July 21, following a 10-month overhaul.
Critical work during the planned incremental availability (PIA), which began last September, included upgrades to the ship’s internal and external communication network, receiving, inventorying and installing more than 3,000 consolidated afloat networks and enterprise services (CANES) assets and the Navy’s next generation tactical afloat network.
The afloat network enhances operational effectiveness and provides better quality of life for deployed sailors.
Truman’s commanding officer, Capt. Ryan B. Scholl, praised ship forces, 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. “This excitement, enthusiasm and teamwork is 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.”
To maintain the ship’s operational longevity, sailors and contractors teamed up to repair nearly 4,500 reactor material items, which accounted for approximately 25 percent of the ship’s overall work package. Additionally, maintenance and refurbishments were made to shipboard systems in preparation for future operations, including rehabilitating 90,000 square feet of Truman’s hangar bay, 7,000 square feet of its flight deck combing and scuppers, and 10,000 square feet of catwalk.
Upgrades to the ship didn’t just include systems. Refurbishments to crew living spaces included the rehabilitation of 12 berthing spaces, 10 heads and the preservation of 963 decks over the course of 309,000 man hours.
The ship is now preparing for an upcoming schedule consisting of various training exercises placing emphasis on damage control, flight deck operations and simulated combat at-sea.
After Truman’s departure from NNSY’s waterfront, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) is expected to arrive there for its PIA in August.