Navy's Annual Conference Addresses No. 1 Maintenance Issue

From Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Military, government, civilian, and industry experts joined forces for the sixth consecutive year to discuss the latest technologies and methods in the fight against rust - an approximately $6 billion yearly battle for the Navy - at the annual Mega Rust Corrosion Conference in San Diego June 7-10.

The annual conference focused on corrosion planning in acquisition and reduction of total ownership costs by bringing together corrosion control experts from government, military, shipyards, research facilities, and commercial industries to address the Navy's corrosion control programs. Attendees discussed advances in coatings, as well as corrosion prevention and maintenance techniques, on Navywide platforms.

"NAVSEA is committed to reducing the total ownership cost of Navy platforms through the continuous implementation of corrosion control technologies that minimize the impact of corrosion on fleet maintenance and availability," said Department of Navy's Corrosion Prevention and Control Executive, E. Dail Thomas.

Vice Adm. Kevin McCoy, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) commander and keynote speaker, led the group in technical discussions. Rear Adm. J. Clarke Orzalli, Fleet Maintenance director, U.S. Fleet Forces Command; and Rear Adm. James McManamon, NAVSEA Surface Warfare deputy commander; and Capt. Jerry Reina, Southwest Regional Maintenance Center commander; participated in a panel discussion. Additionally, Mega Rust 2010 included representation from the Army, Air Force, as well as all of the Navy's System Commands.

The four-day event also featured presentations, vendor exhibits, working group meetings, and corrosion workforce certification courses. Topics include shipboard corrosion assessment training; global war on corrosion; painting center of excellence; and the education and assistance of Sailors in ship preservation and corrosion control.

Mega Rust started in 2005 by consolidating four major corrosion control conferences into one event to create a more inclusive, fleetwide forum on rust. Working groups established by Mega Rust have provided a coordinated and practical accounting for what's happening across the Navy, and the data accumulated by these groups has provided metrics for planning and budgeting.

Mega Rust 2011 is scheduled, June 6-9, in the Tidewater area of Virginia.