Bataan Departs Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Returns to Sea
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Pedro A. USS Bataan (LHD 5) left the Norfolk Naval Shipyard after an eight month dry-docked planned maintenance availability (DPMA), May 5. Some major jobs completed aboard were completion of a seawater compensated fuel system modification and upgrades to support the newest vertical/short take off and landing Marine Corps aircraft, the MV-22 Osprey. The fuel compensation modification changes the way the fuel tanks aboard the ship are emptied. As fuel is used, the emptying tanks fill with seawater, so the ship's stability is not reduced as fuel is burned while underway. "The biggest thing with this modification is stability…
USS Enterprise Flight Deck Gets Face Lift
Nicholas C. USS Enterprise (CVN 65) (Big E) is currently undergoing one of its most visible rehabilitation efforts during its current extended yard period at the Northrop Grumman Shipyards in Newport News, Va. The crew, as well as civilian contractors, teamed up in September to give Big E's flight deck a face lift. From installing new catapults to completely refacing the surface of the deck with non-skid, which began March 13, the crew is working diligently to complete the evolution. “Non-skid is a non-slipping material that will assure planes won’t slip on the flight deck when they land or take off,” said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handler) (ABH) 1st Class (AW/SW) Hector M. Arroyo, Crash and Salvage leading petty officer.
