Portsmouth, Va. – The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman was guided up the Elizabeth River and into Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) on Wednesday to begin maintenance work during its carrier incremental availability.
The Portsmouth-based Coast Guard Cutter Sea Horse and Coast Guard response boat crews from Portsmouth and Little Creek provided the escort of the carrier during the transit.
Truman commanding officer Capt. Bob Roth expressed pride in the work Truman Sailors completed while preparing to begin the maintenance availability at NNSY in a release from the Navy.
“I’m very pleased with our preparations and am confident we will meet any challenges that lay ahead with utmost determination and professionalism,” said Roth. “This crew’s dedication and passion to serve is incredible. We will continue with the spirit of ownership that led to our success on deployment and know that it will ensure our success here at NNSY.”
The transition to NNSY will be a stark change in working and living environments for Truman Sailors, many of whom will experience life in the shipyard for the first time. Command Master Chief Raymond Kemp stressed teamwork and professionalism will be keys to Truman’s success.
“A successful yard period will take close cooperation between the crew and NNSY workers,” he said. “With dignity and respect as our foundation for our working relationships and the material condition of the ship, I am confident that we can successfully complete this carrier incremental availability.”
Roth shared Kemp’s sentiments and is fully confident in the crew’s ability to complete a successful availability in a demanding environment.
“There will certainly be new hurdles, but our attitude and determination will guide us to success,” he said. “NNSY may be a new environment for many of our Sailors, but this crew achieves great things no matter what the environment and no matter what the mission.”
