Lincoln Ahead Of Schedule

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) left the dry dock on Dec. 18, ahead of schedule and under budget becuase Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) cut the time of ship tank maintenance by more than half. Partnering with Ship’s Force and the Lincoln Project Team, the Tank Value Stream Team accomplished the goal. Through the Lean Continuous Improvement process, the teams completed 18 tanks in 89 days.

“Value Streams are main branches of maintenance work that have been identified individually for process improvement through lean technology,” explains Mark Winkler, the team leader. “The goal is to provide improved products and cost performance to the customer. Tank maintenance is one such value stream.” Lincoln's Commanding Officer, Capt. Andrew McCawley, and the ship’s crew turned out to congratulate the Tank Value Stream Team on their success at a recognition ceremony in Hangar Bay 2 onboard the ship Dec. 15. “I want to thank you on behalf of Lincoln and congratulate you on your accomplishment,” said McCawley. “This really is significant. I’d like to offer you a ship’s perspective on what you’ve done for Abraham Lincoln. You have inspired the crew through your dedication and staying on schedule while overcoming every challenge. You have also added to the quality of life of the crew and increased the material readiness of the ship.”

In August of this year, Abraham Lincoln returned from a six month deployment to the Western Pacific. The Everett, Wash. based aircraft carrier also participated in Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and Operation Unified Assistance in 2005. The ship and crew have been highly successful in their missions. “Those successes are as much yours as the crew who has been deployed,” Captain McCawley told the hundreds of people assembled. “You have produced the material readiness and capability that Abraham Lincoln possesses. Your victory here today is Abraham Lincoln's success tomorrow.” Capt. Dan Peters, Commander, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility, expressed his pride in the remarkable achievements.

“I’m proud to stand before you and express my appreciation for what this team has accomplished,” stated Peters. “Members of the Tank Value Stream made a commitment to tackle this extraordinary task of significantly reducing cost and schedule with top shelf enthusiasm and professionalism. You rose to the challenge and far exceeded expectations.” “It’s not possible to have this kind of success without teamwork,” Capt. Peters continued. “You, Ship’s Force, the project team, and our maintenance partners together make these significant improvements possible.” “What you succeeded in accomplishing has just raised the bar for the rest of the maintenance world,” concluded Peters, speaking to the workers and Ship’s Force packing the hangar bay at the end of the celebration ceremony. “Now we have to prove that this wasn’t a one-time success, that it is a sustainable process.” Source: NavNews

By Mary A. Mascianica, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Public Affairs